Ahead of the new season starting, and as part of Cardiff City Football Club’s commitment to working towards a more sustainable future, we wanted to draw your attention to a travel solution that you may not be too familiar with on matchdays.
Steven Smith, Treasurer of the Maesteg Bluebirds, took a few questions from The Bluebird, our Official Matchday Programme, to explain why hopping on a supporters’ coach to home matchdays is becoming one of the most convenient, cost effective and green way to support the Bluebirds.
TB: Steven, thank you for your time to help out your fellow City fans with this information! Tell us about the Maesteg Bluebirds: where do you travel and what do you do?
STEVEN: Maesteg Bluebirds are now in their 72nd year, taking Cardiff City fans to games at home and away. We were set up in 1954 and our headquarters now are at the Crown Hotel in Maesteg where we hold meetings and have our pickup point for the majority of our supporters. Our membership comes from Glyncorrwg, Blaen Gwynfi, Cymmer, Croeserw, Caerau, Maesteg, Ogmore and Garw valleys and also Bridgend; we start in Cymmer and pickup as we go down the Llynfi valley to our final pick up is in Tondu where supporters from the other valleys will get on board to travel to CCS or opposition grounds. Last season we had 140 members with one member travelling over from Port Talbot for every home game.
TB: How can fans get aboard one of your coaches?
STEVEN: Members get priority on our coaches and membership cards needs to be shown if needed for inspection. Despite being in League One last year, we still took two buses to every home game and for high profile games we had three buses running. We also did 18 away games and four Wales home internationals. We always try to do a free home game for members as a thank you for their continued support; cost is massive during these difficult times and we have supporters who have children and grandchildren to think about.
TB: How would I set my own club up, Steven? The more buses and fans the merrier, right?!
STEVEN: If you were starting a club today you would need to get numbers interested, order transport for that amount of people and grow it from there. Try making a small profit from each game to cover unforeseen circumstances like a drop off in numbers due to team performances or position in the league; make your club a welcoming environment and if the team play winning attractive football the supporters will quickly come back.
TB: So, whether I’m becoming a Maesteg Bluebird or setting up my own club for matchday travel, sum up the benefits for me.
STEVEN: The benefits are: no driving needed; fewer cars on the road making less pollution for the environment; pick up and drop off spots are right outside the stadium; the costs are affordable; and you’ll know longer worry about where to park!
To find out more about membership and book, visit the Maesteg Bluebirds’ Facebook page. For all information on home and away travel email Paul Corkry via slo@cardiffcityfc.co.uk.