Getting To The Game - Every Little Helps

Getting to and from games can be a major part of matchday costs and, as the slogan goes, every little helps in this regard.

Stoke City announced at the start of the season that they would be offering their fans free away travel by coach to all 19 Premier League games in 2013/14, funded by the increase in television money that the club have received.

The Potters never seem to have forgotten since reaching the top-flight that their supporter base remains local and that attending games will eat into a big slice of their disposable income. Their season ticket prices have been realistic and the free travel offer has been widely applauded.

I noticed this week that Notts County supporters can park their cars for free and then travel on the city's tram network to Meadow Lane for £2 return this season. A quick look at the official website for the system shows that the deal also applies to Forest fans making their way to the City Ground.

http://www.thetram.net/news/1/discounted-tram-travel-for-sports-fans/

As a Coventry City fan this is the kind of offer that should have been in place at the Ricoh Arena where the green travel plan envisaged before the stadium was opened never really materialised.

A 'Football Special' bus was in place but cost £4 on top of either paying to park your car in the city centre or for a further journey home by public transport. What a contrast to when the stadium hosted the Olympics and an army of smiling volunteers showed you the way to the buses that were included as part of your ticket price.

Any other clubs that deserve a mention for making it easier to get to games? Tweet @affordablefooty or email us at affordablefootball@yahoo.co.uk.

Affordable Football to look out for over the next week or so includes the Chelsea versus Spurs Under-21 game which takes place at Aldershot’s ground on Friday 9th August and which is free for all spectators.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3338913

Sheffield United have sold over 23,000 tickets for the England versus Scotland Under-21 international on Tuesday 13th August. A family of four can watch the match for £20 and a two-for-one offer has been running for Blades season ticket holders and members.

http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20130813-england-hosp-408577.aspx

UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship takes place in Wales between 19 and 31 August

It is the first time Wales has hosted a UEFA tournament and there is free admission to all group games.

http://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/index.html