First Great Western running Football Special to Pompey
Exeter City Football Club’s away trip to Portsmouth on Saturday 2nd November has given City fans the opportunity to travel from Exeter to Fratton Park on a direct, exclusive train service thanks to First Great Western.
In conjunction with the football club, First Great Western have organised a special train for matchday ticket holders to travel from Exeter St Davids (departing at 0930); with a pick-up at Tiverton Parkway (0945); arriving Fratton Station at 1215. The return journey will leave Fratton Station at 1734; calling at Tiverton Parkway (2015); and arrive at Exeter St Davids at 2033.
The specially-commissioned train will be called ‘The Red Grecian’, and all passengers will have a custom printed and uniquely-numbered ticket for the journey. Catering will be provided on the service, with snacks being available in exchange for a donation to Exeter City Supporters’ Trust.
For Barbara Fearn, Assistant to the General Manager (West) at First Great Western and a real Exeter City fan, this fixture holds a great deal of significance. Barbara spoke to her bosses at First Great Western and with the help of her colleagues (including husband Matt, who also works with FGW and is a City fan) and the commercial team at Exeter City she has been able to organise the additional train.
Barbara said: “First Great Western are dedicated to supporting the communities we serve and it is great to be able to put on this special train.
“The game is special too. It is a Trust derby between Exeter City – celebrating 10 years of supporters’ ownership – and Portsmouth, who are the newest Trust-owned Club.
“My great grandfather also played for Portsmouth before the First World War. James Armstrong joined the Club in 1913 and played against Exeter in home and away fixtures on several occasions. As a Trust Member it is a great opportunity to promote the Trust ethos as both Clubs are owned by their respective supporters.”
Bruce Henderson, Business Development Manager at Exeter City Football Club, added: “First Great Western are great partners to our club, and this is a wonderful gesture from Barbara and her colleagues to be able to offer this service to our supporters.
“It is a really unique opportunity for our fans to travel in travel cost effectively, together with other fans, in comfort and directly to one of the most attractive away-days of the season. Let’s hope that it’s a joyful train ride back to Devon for the fans, with another three points on our tally!”
Tickets for the return journey are £29 for adults and £14.50 for children under 16 (no further discounts will apply including for Railcard holders). There are 196 seats available and supporters can purchase these at the same time as their Portsmouth matchday tickets from the Club Reception at St James Park.
The rail tickets will be at Reception some time before the end of the week ending Friday 18th October. If you are interested in using this service, please contact Reception either over the counter at St James Park, by emailing reception@exetercityfc.co.uk or by ringing 01392 411 243 and leaving your contact details. Your orders will be noted and you will be contacted when the rail tickets arrive at the football club.
Click here for match ticket information for this fixture.
The rail tickets will be at Reception some time before the end of the week ending Friday 18th October. If you are interested in using this service, please contact Reception either over the counter at St James Park, by emailing reception@exetercityfc.co.uk or by ringing 01392 411 243 and leaving your contact details. Your orders will be noted and you will be contacted when the rail tickets arrive at the football club.
Click here for match ticket information for this fixture.