NUFC have confirmed they have received an allocation of 6000 tickets for the Cup Game on January 6th at the SOL.

A condition of this is it will be a bubble trip which means supporters must board a bus at St James's Park and then travel to Sunderland on official transport.

This has happened before (but it was that long ago that Classic and Moor Dale held the line!) and will require a lot of resource (circa 60-70 vehicles)

I would imagine this could possibly include pretty much every operator out there  -  the GNE Voyager fleet, JH Coaches, Phoenix, Henry Cooper, LG Coaches et al.

There was quite a bit of damage as a result of Sunderland fans throwing objects at windows last time around (the sight of the combustion engine presumably a new thing to them at the time) so bring out your old London tat!

You'll still get the odd few who wont be told and want to use the metro or the ones from Durham and further south who moan about have to pass the stadium of plight to get to St James park!

(15 Dec 2023, 5:50 pm)Rob44 wrote You'll still get the odd few who wont be told and want to use the metro or the ones from Durham and further south who moan about have to pass the stadium of plight to get to St James park!

They'll be enjoying the match outside as tickets are been given on the buses. Any plastic mags from South of Sunderland can enjoy they tour up North for being plastic but they probably don't know where the stadium is anyway.

Looking forward to watching at international side at the SoL. Even the Saudi King could be there.

(15 Dec 2023, 8:20 pm)Economic505 wrote Looking forward to watching at international side at the SoL. Even the Saudi King could be there.

Well their owner and his family do a lot of business with the Saudis, so I’m sure they’ll be keen to impress visitors! 

And those major employers Nissan and BAE too…they’ll be sure to be shaking hands with any visitors 

Though it’s just a 3rd round cup tie against a lower league side so I doubt they’ll bother

I estimate that if they are moving all 6000 from St James, I would imagine they would be using around 85-100 vehicles. Don't think they be buses shuttling back and forth. But by the looks of it, I would imagine a lot of operators of double deckers will be coming together to do work on this operation. Past league encounters the numbers of fans attending have been a lot less, but FA Cup rules allow a larger allocation for away fans. Regardless it's an immense operation.

Sunderland urged to rethink Newcastle ticket plan

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw50114zgyvo?

just got my bus ticket!!! got to be at St James for 830!!!! Anyone any clue as to what/who is supplying the buses and whether there will be 77 of them or they'll be going there and back like the soccer buses do

(28 Dec 2023, 4:24 pm)Rob44 wrote just got my bus ticket!!! got to be at St James for 830!!!!  Anyone any clue as to what/who is supplying the buses and whether there will be 77 of them or they'll be going there and back like the soccer buses do

They are running as shuttles hence the early start

(28 Dec 2023, 4:24 pm)Rob44 wrote just got my bus ticket!!! got to be at St James for 830!!!!  Anyone any clue as to what/who is supplying the buses and whether there will be 77 of them or they'll be going there and back like the soccer buses do

Unlucky, I'll be walking in at 12.30pm like usual.

The whole thing is a mess though, feel for you being stuck in a stadium for 2 hours+

I’ll be there an all though goin by car

(28 Dec 2023, 4:53 pm)Storx wrote Unlucky, I'll be walking in at 12.30pm like usual.

The whole thing is a mess though, feel for you being stuck in a stadium for 2 hours+

well all i can say is the beer better be subsidized. if they think they are locking me in there from 930 am till well after 3pm even with an open bar they are mistaken!

** even with NUFC colors and signs up!**.

(05 Jan 2024, 8:36 am)Rob44 wrote well all i can say is the beer better be subsidized. if they think they are locking me in there from 930 am till well after 3pm even with an open bar they are mistaken!

** even with NUFC colors and signs up!**.

Ha doubt it, be nice and warm, plastic cups 3/4 filled and full of head if it's like the rest of the stadium  .

(05 Jan 2024, 8:36 am)Rob44 wrote well all i can say is the beer better be subsidized. if they think they are locking me in there from 930 am till well after 3pm even with an open bar they are mistaken!

** even with NUFC colors and signs up!**.

Take a catheter, because those toilets will be ankle deep before you know it!

(05 Jan 2024, 10:41 am)Andreos1 wrote Take a catheter, because those toilets will be ankle deep before you know it!

ik wonder if they fit them at the qe down the road??

I’ve scored the 10-10.45 bus

Though from what I understand we load 5 buses then go and wait on scotswood road for the police escort

You won't need to keep as many plastic cups to pee in then, Ambassador.

Around 100 vehicles were used for the Newcastle to Sunderland trip in the morning in 4 convoys. However less were used in the return journey with only being 3 convoys and less coaches used. I will post a list of my sightings for anyone interested later on.

Just did a quick check and the vehicle count is...
105 vehicles used on the outbound run from Newcastle to Sunderland.
20 vehicles used to transport Sunderland fan clubs from various areas (some from Cumbria, Yorkshire and Manchester).
10 vehicles used on the Sunderland AFC Park and Ride from Sunderland Riverside Park to Stadium of Light.
2 vehicles used by Newcastle United as Team Coaches.

Actual list of vehicles to follow once I fine tuned it.
105 Toon Fan Vehicles
20 Scum Fan Vehicles
10 Scum P&R Vehicles
2 Toon Team Vehicles.

I left SJP at 10.20 on a GNE ADL 400 back on a Danny’s Coaches

The ADL…Jesus wept, I thought we’d have to get out and push at the Bowes Incline, the poor driver had to leave huge gaps in the convoy as the brakes were spongy…

(06 Jan 2024, 9:43 pm)Ambassador wrote I left SJP at 10.20 on a GNE ADL 400 back on a Danny’s Coaches

The ADL…Jesus wept, I thought we’d have to get out and push at the Bowes Incline, the poor driver had to leave huge gaps in the convoy as the brakes were spongy…

Saw some footage on a fb page of the convoy heading up from TVTE towards the Angel and beyond. 

I am guessing the E400 that stood out like a saw thumb, was the one you were on. 

Genuinely thought the convoy had come to an end. 
Then the E400 rocked up with a tailback behind it.

(06 Jan 2024, 10:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote Saw some footage on a fb page of the convoy heading up from TVTE towards the Angel and beyond. 

I am guessing the E400 that stood out like a saw thumb, was the one you were on. 

Genuinely thought the convoy had come to an end. 
Then the E400 rocked up with a tailback behind it.

Yes, huge gap to the JH deckers and one GNE ADL infront of us. We kept losing speed from Metrocentre to Team Valley. .Genuinely thought we were going to break down at numerous points, the small claim from Mill House roundabout to the Washington Highway…it went through about 34 gears. 

Who on earth thought these heaps were a good idea to run in a high speed convoy ?

Key to Vehicle Allocation:
Newcastle Fan Transport
Sunderland Park and Ride
Sunderland Fan Transport
NUFC Team Coaches
Support Vehicle

626 Coach Hire, Durham. (1 Vehicle)
BSZ626 - Volvo B11RT - Jonckheere.

A-Line, Pelaw. (2 Vehicles)
116 - BF16XPL - Mercedes Benz Tourismo.
217 - YJ07PCF - Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse.

Coatham Coaches, Boosbeck. (7 Vehicles)
01 - BD18TNJ - Mercedes Benz Tourismo.
11 - YK15OJL - VDL FHD2-129 Futura 2.
16 - YX73MVJ - Volvo B8R / Plaxton.
23 - YT72GNY - Irizar i4 Integral.
24 - YX70LTJ - Volvo B8R / Plaxton.
36 - SO62JZT - VDL FHD2-129 Futura 2.
37 - RGZ2826 - VDL FHD2-129 Futura 2.

Danny's Travel, Langley Park. (5 Vehicles)
BU13ZTO - Merecedes Benz Tourismo.
DT54BUS - Volvo B13RT / Jonckheere.
SO13GSZ - VDL FHD2-129 Futura 2.
XIL1274 - Volvo B12B / Plaxton.
YJ08DHF - VDL SB4000 - Berkhof.

Gardiners NMC, Morpeth.  (1 Vehicle)
JUI575 - Neoplan N2216SHDL Tourliner.

Garnetts, Tindale Crescent.  (16 Vehicles)
FJ11MJV - Volvo B9R - Caetano.
FJ11MKD - Volvo B9R - Caetano.
FJ11MKM - Volvo B9R - Caetano.
FJ11MKN - Volvo B9R - Caetano.
FJ11RDU - Volvo B9R - Caetano.
FJ61GZM - Volvo B9R - Caetano.
LJ10CUK - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LJ59LVZ - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LJ59LWL - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LJ59LWO - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LK59LWR - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LJ59LWY - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LJ59LWZ - VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2DL.
LW51ZGD - Volvo B7TL - Alexander ALX400.
LW51ZNL - Volvo B7TL - Alexander ALX400.
SE56ZRY - Volvo B7TL - ADL ALX400.

Gillingham's, Catchgate. (2 Vehicles)

HDZ8683 - Volvo B10M / Van Hool Alizee.
SM06GSM - MAN 18:310 / Marcopolo.

Go North East. (15 Vehicles)
6167 - YN56FFG - Scania N94UD / ELC Omnidekka.
6169 - YN56FFJ - Scania N94UD / ELC Omnidekka.
6171 - YN56FFL - Scania N94UD / ELC Omnidekka.
6305 - NK16BXE - Wright Streetdeck.
6333 - NK67GOC  - Wright Streetdeck.
6368 - NK70BYF - Wright Streetdeck.
6945 - LX57CJE - ADL Envorp 400.
6946 - LX57CKF - ADL Enviro 400.
6951 - LX08EBZ - ADL Enviro 400.
6953 - LX08ECC - ADL Enviro 400.
6958 - LX09FAU - ADL Enviro 400.
6960 - SN60BZC - ADL Enviro 400.
6963 - SN60BZF - ADL Enviro 400.
6967 - LX06FKN - ADL Enviro 400.
6973 - LX58CXK - ADL Trident (E400) / Optare Olympus.

Griersons, Fishburn. (1 Vehicle)
RNZ1043 - Volvo B10M / Van Hool Alizee.

Howard Snaith, Otterburn. (9 Vehicles)
B19TDX - Van Hool TDX27 Astromega.
HO13WRD - Volvo B9R / Plaxton.
HO22WRD - Volvo B8R / Plaxton.
HS17THS - Volvo B11R / Plaxton.
SNA117H - Volvo B12BT / Plaxton.
SP07SOU - Volvo B12B / Plaxton.
YN06RVV - Volvo B12M / Plaxton.
YN11AXB - Volvo B7R / Plaxton.
YN12BBO - Volvo B9R / Plaxton.

James Cooper Coaches, Annisford. (1 Vehicle)
VIL2384 - Scania K114EB4 / Irizar.

JH Coaches, Birtley. (41 Vehicles)
JH07COM - Volvo B9TL - Wright Eclipse Gemini 1.
JH09COM - Scania N270UD / Optare Omnidekka.
JH11COM - Volvo B11RT / Plaxton Elite-i.
JH12COM - Volvo B9R - Plaxton Elite.
JH15BUS - Volvo B11R - Sunsundegui.
JH15COM - Volvo B11R - Sunsundegui.
JH18COM - Scania K410EB6 / Higer.
JH19COM - Scania K410EB6 / Higer.
JH21BUS - Scania K360IB4 / Higer.
JH23BUS - Scania K410IB4 / Higer.
JH23COM - Scania K410IB4 / Higer.
JH59COM - Scania N270UD / Optare Omnidekka.
JH64ENG - Vauxhall Movano Support Van.
JH66COM - Scania K410EB6 / Higer.
JH70COM - Scania K360IB4 / Higer.
JH71COM - Scania K360IB4 / Higer.
JH72BUS - Scania K410EB4 Interlink
JH72COM - Scania K410EB4 Interlink
JH72JHC - Scania K410EB6 / Higer.
LJ09CCX - ADL Enviro 400.
LJ09CCY - ADL Enviro 400.
LJ09CCZ - ADL Enviro 400.
LJ09CDE - ADL Enviro 400.
LJ09CDF - ADL Enviro 400.
LK04NMZ - Volvo B7TL - Transbus President.
LK04NND - Volvo B7TL - Transbus President.
LK04NNG - Volvo B7TL - Transbus President.
LK04NNJ - Volvo B7TL / Transbus President.
LK04NNM - Volvo B7TL / Transbus President.
LK04NNP - Volvo B7TL - Transbus President.
LK09ENU - ADL Enviro 200 Dart.
LK09ENV - ADL Enviro 200 Dart.
LK09ENY - ADL Enviro 200 Dart.
LK09EOB - ADL Enviro 200 Dart.
LK09EOC - ADL Enviro 200 Dart.
LK09EOD - ADL Enviro 200 Dart.
TVE804 - Scania N94UD / ELC Omnidekka.
VNP893 - Scania N230UD Omnicity.
YSV815 - Scania N230UD Omnicity.
YT59SGX - Scania N230UD Omnicity.
YT59SGY - Scania N230UD Omnicity.

L & B Travel, Blaydon. (3 Vehicles)
P88BUS - Scania K114EB4 - Irizar.
KV02URX - Dennis Trident - Alexander ALX400.
B3LBT - Yutong TC12.

L&G Coaches, Birtley. (1 Vehicle)
204 - LR52BNB - Volvo B7TL / Plaxton President.

Liberty Coaches / Phoenix, Blyth.  (5 Vehicles)
A14PNX - Dennis Trident - Alexander ALX400.
MV12OEE - Neoplan N2216/3SHDL Tourliner.
OU14SWW - Neoplan N2216/3SHDL Tourliner.
OU14SWX - Neoplan N2216/3SHDL Tourliner.
SN56AFK - Volvo B7TL - Wright Eclipse Gemini 1.

M & I Travel, Workington. (1 Vehicles)
YN10FKP - Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elite.

North East Coach Travel, Seaton Burn. (4 Vehicles)
N44ECT - Mercedes Benz 1836RL Touro - Caetano.
N50ECT - Yutong TC12.
N60ECT - Temsa Safari HD.
N70ECT - Volvo B12BT - Jonckheere.

Rayners, Esh Winning. (3 Vehicles)
BX07NLC - Setra S415GT-HD.
RY57NER - Scania K114EB4 / Berkhof.
YJ11GJV - Van Hool T916 Acron.

Roberts, Wingate. (1 Vehicle)
RIW5403 - Volvo B10M / Van Hool Alizee.

Shaws of Durham. (3 Vehicles)
PN05CNC - VDL SB4000 - Marcopolo.
T16BCC - Volvo B10M - Van Hool Alizee.
T66BCC - Van Hool T916 Acron.

Shipley Mini Coaches, West Yorkshire. (1 Vehicle)
YJ16UTW - Yutong TC9.

Stanley Travel, Oxhill. (7 Vehicles)
OO06STX - Volvo B12M - Plaxton.
OX17STX - Volvo B8R / Plaxton.
OX23STX - VDL FHD2-129 Futura 2.
P4STX - Volvo B8R - Plaxton.
S2STX - ADL Enviro 400.
S3STX - Volvo B9TL - Wright Eclipse Gemini 2.
S5STX - ADL Enviro 400.

Swans Travel, Chadderton. (1 Vehicle)
YT22EWZ - Irizar i6 Integral.

TM Travel, Durham. (4 Vehicles)
CU53AEG - Volvo B12M - Plaxton.
GB03TGM - Setra S415HD.
S2HCF - Setra S415HD.
SF06LKV - Bova FHD12-340 Futura.

Tynedale Group Travel. (2 Vehicles)
TGT4 - Van Hool TDX21 Altano.
TGT820 - Van Hool TDX21 Altano.

White Star Travel, Sunderland. (1 Vehicle)
P31WST - VDL SB4000 / Berkhof.

Top work there Rapid

For anyone keeping score, the many many many visiting boys and girls in blue from West Yorks, Scotland, Cheshire etc appeared to be in Practical Van Hire (Washington branch) Ford Transits

I don't remember much but just looked at my bank balance and its extremely low!

Just to fill some gaps… the Coatham numbers are 16 for YX73MVJ and 23 for YT72GNY


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Didn't realise JH had so many buses, never mind the drivers to drive them.

(07 Jan 2024, 10:19 am)nova347 wrote Didn't realise JH had so many buses, never mind the drivers to drive them.

They had drivers from other companies too, e.g. 626 Coach Hire provided drivers to JH, and drove their coaches.


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(07 Jan 2024, 8:35 am)tyresmoke wrote Just to fill some gaps… the Coatham numbers are 16 for YX73MVJ and 23 for YT72GNY


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Super, had a feeling you would post with the fleetnumbers.

Thanks, will update the list.

I thought on a whole it was incredibly well organised at relatively short notice. Local firms came together, nice mix of indies and GNE and on a whole relatively decent stock across the board.

Thought police handled the road closures well and as much as I personally hugely disagree with bubble trips, it was as positive as could be from a supporter pov.