Saddlers defend cost of Wembley coaches

Thousands of fans will be boarding coaches when the Saddlers hit the road to the national stadium for the first time.

Supporters using travel organised by the club have been faced with paying more than other independent transport operators.

Walsall are charging £30 for a return trip for the historic Johnstone's Paint Trophy final on March 22. However, spaces elsewhere have been available for as low as £20.

But the club say 40 have been booked and 35 already filled, with room for 48 supporters on each one. They had to increase the numbers being provided from the original 10 due to demand.

The club say it will be fleet of luxury executive coaches from Birmingham International Coaches, who also supply the team bus.

In a statement Walsall FC said: "The coaches supplied are of the highest specification. They offer executive travel.

"The quality of the product stands up to any such scrutiny with departure direct from the Banks's Stadium to Wembley."

The Big Green Coach Ltd is offering travel to and from the ground and is charging £27 for adults.

It has already been inundated with requests which has seen seven filled. The set off point is from Walsall College.

Director Danny Newby said: "It is going really well, we have got 10 available and we anticipate they will sell out.

"We went on sale within seconds of them reaching Wembley. We tend not to base our prices on other people, we have a standard pricing model.

"It is always a bit of a shot in the dark but we are very pleased with how Walsall has gone."

"It is brilliant, it is the first time they have ever got to Wembley, it has got to be exciting for the whole town."

Soccer Express are offering travel for £23 which involves pick up by Bescot Rail Station.

Nash's Coaches in West Bromwich are priced at £25 for adults and £20 for children with picks ups at Faulkland Street, Wolverhampton, Hatherton Road, Walsall, Wednesbury and West Bromwich bus stations.

While some have sold out, including On The Ball Travel which filled its executive coaches which were £20.

It comes as the initial allocation of more than 20,000 tickets at Wembley sold out last week, meaning more were ordered.