Trip blow as coach firm A2Z fails
A youth football team that was planning a day trip to Blackpool has been left £400 out of pocket after the Black Country bus operator which was to take them went into administration, it emerged today.
Bilston Casuals Under 14s have been left heartbroken after A2Z Travel collapsed. The club had arranged for a 49-seater coach to take 14 players, friends and family to the seaside town for the day on June 14. Secretary Angela Woodward said a cheque handed to A2Z Travel on March 17 was cashed on March 19.
The Walsall firm called in administrators earlier this month, about six months after it had its licence revoked by the West Midlands Traffic Commissioner.
Mrs Woodward said: "I didn't even know there was a problem until I read it in the Express & Star
"We couldn't do anything. We went over to their offices and it was locked up.
"Our players have been let down – it's money that's come out of club funds.
"Everything we do is through fundraising. Rather than taking them out at Christmas, we thought we'd take them to Blackpool."
The club, which plays at Prouds Lane and is a member of the Walsall Youth League, is now hoping another transport firm can step in.
Shazad Ali, A2Z transport manager, said: "Every creditor will be written to. We're trying to do right by everybody, but there may be one or two who have suffered.
"The total amount of money involved is going to be minimal because we didn't take many bookings."
Anyone who can help the club has been asked to call Angela Woodward after 6pm on 07840 661543.
Those who lost out following the demise of A2Z Travel have been asked to call administrators Mazars on 01384 230432.
