Announcements
It has been a few years since York Minstermen have organised a coach trip to a York City away game but we thought we would take to the road for the FA Cup tie in Stoke.
Following high demand for our initial coach, we booked a second coach and filled another 49 seats at the bargain price of £12 per person.
So, at 9am on Saturday 2nd January 2010, our two coaches from York Pullman set off, via a pick up in Tadcaster, to the 'wrong side' of the Pennines.
Despite hitting heavy snow on the high ground of the M62 and having to slow down for quite a few miles, we still managed to arrive at the George and Dragon pub in Holmes Chapel, just 20 miles from Stoke, at around 11.20am.
A Warm Welcome
After a few hours, we took to the snow covered roads again and travelled the final few miles to Stoke City's ground.
The game, which eventually started 30 minutes late, was entertaining but sadly City lost 1-3 despite taking a brief lead against their Premier League opponents.
The 4,500 City fans then returned to their cars, coaches and trains to make the homeward journey.
On board the York Minstermen coaches, we had the task of handing out the prize money for our 'winner takes all' Guess The Attendance competition. On coach 1, Pete Fountain won £46 with a guess of 15,666. Whilst on coach 2, Andy Swan picked up £40 with a guess of 15,500.
A sneaky little stop at Keele services on the M6, for coach 1, allowed our group to say 'well done' to the players when the team coach stopped a few minutes later.
Our coach drivers, delivered us safely back to York before 9pm and it was back home (or to the pub!) for our cheerful travellers.
A good day out!