Half-a-dozen manned police vehicles - cars, dog vans and motorycycles - could be observed in Cary Lane, Brigg, at 1.30pm today. Fortunately they weren't there to deal with a serious crime, but were keeping a watching brief on Barnsley football fans en route to Hull for the Yorkshire derby.The supporters we saw heading back to the line of coaches outside Wilkinson's store seemed good humoured. Many were eating fish and chips and other footstuffs purchased in Brigg - so a bit of unexpected trade came our town's way. Doutbless a few had worked up a thirst on the warm buses and found themselves in need of a drink.
What Brigg Blog can't work out, though, is why the coaches from Barnsley didn't just use the perfectly adquate Yorkshire motorway network to get to Hull. Why come all the way round to Brigg and then head over the Humber Bridge (paying the toll)?
We have just pinged off an email to Humberside Police and put that very question, thinking they might know the answer. We've also asked whether the Barnsley boys are taking the same route home tonight and whether Brigg is a stop-off point.
We've just checked on the AA's excellent online route planning system and the recommended route from Barnsley to Hull is along the Yorkshire motorways and NOT coming across to Brigg and using the Humber Bridge.
...I've said this b4, Scribs...but no-one seems to have taken any notice!
ReplyDeleteMy postings don't seem to have much impact about Brigg!!!!
When Hull achieved Premier Division status, 2008, I did say that Brigg was geographically well-suited for coach-loads of away fans.
1.It is convenienty located outside Hull - thus avoiding inter-fan conflict,...and well-suited watering hole.
2.Brigg has numerous pubs and cafes.
3.The Humber Bridge is a big enough attraction for coaches enroute Hull from the South Bank. (Collectively the cost per fan for x-ing the bridge by coach is minimal)
I even suggested to the then present landlord of the White Horse that he checks Hull's home games and that he puts an A-frame on Barnard Ave - 'Liverpool Fans Welcome' etc.
I even proposed that an advert could be put in Hull's football programme advertising Brigg's pubs and cafes and indicating the town's situation to Hull.
I also remember mentioning in Brigg Blog that Brigg does not seem to have any proper parking facilities for such coaches and the town could be missing out on
significant passing trade.
....so it now seem that I am repeating myself, Nige.
If an outsider can see the potential and the insiders can't, I'm afraid I can't do any more.
Nige - re Route.....
ReplyDeleteWhen checking AA routes, or sat-navs, the priority tends to be the 'fastest route'.
Obviously. the motorway route would be the fastest, but where would the Barnsley fans stop for a comfort break?
You saw the coaches at 1.30pm - obviously suggesting that the time factor was not the priority - the game would not start for another hour and three-quarters --and the ground was only 40 mins (max) away.
From Barnsley there is now a new link road to Doncaster, which then joins the M18.
Recently, the national media recognised the Humber Bridge as one of the major tourist attractions in the UK.
Routeing via M18, M180 etc would allow coaches to stop in Brigg - well advertised as pub and cafe emporium. I assume Brigg is not too far from Barnsley for Brigg's reputation not to be known..
The Humber Bridge toll per fan would be minimal - about 25/30p - assuming 60 fans per coach.
And remember, Scribs, the Man Utd team have been known to stop at Briggate Lodge when playing Hull.
With Scribs being AWOL for days, there might be some truth in the alleged sighting of Nige singing rawdy rugby songs on the back seat of the coach and shouting. 'I'm going to South Yorks for a Barnsley Chop!'
ReplyDeleteThe last known place where one could order one of these famous dishes in Brigg was from Bob Nicholson in the Queens some/many years ago.
Once repleat, I'm sure Scribs will re-surface - assuming that he's got enough train money and that the train stops at Brigg station.
Nigel,
ReplyDeleteJust an update for you although a bit late... the fans we had in the Black Bull told me that they arrived at 10am at the White Hart - having previously booked with the aformentioned hostillary. - They then went walkabout as some had been here the previous 2 seasons before the Scunthorpe matches.
Also they said they had to request stopping points to be agreed with the police - Beverley,Brigg or Barton - the police felt Beverley and Barton would have Hull supporters so they agreed to come to brigg as they were welcomed before.