TOWN’S FA Cup showdown with Chelsea is a big day out for more than just the club and its fans.
It’s a massive event for Huddersfield coach company Stotts, which is laying on a fleet of vehicles to take supporters to and from London.
The firm, of Savile Street, Milnsbridge is taking a convoy of 39 coaches to the capital on Saturday; that’s 38 more than it needed to provide for Town’s game at Carlisle United on Tuesday!
It’s enough seats for nearly 2,000 fans.
And it means a long day for staff at Stotts, the company used by Huddersfield Town Supporters Club.
Office manager Richard Poulain said: “The day will start at about 6am, when we’ll be putting together the information packs for drivers.
“We probably won’t get finished until between 10pm and 11pm.
“When you get big matches coming round like this someone has to take the mantle and that’s where we come in.”
Stotts has just 10 coaches of its own. The rest – including an empty one in case of a breakdown – will be hired from other firms.
The company took about the same number to Chelsea when Town lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the third round of the competition in 2006.
About 6,000 Town fans have tickets for this weekend’s fifth round tie.
Mr Poulain said they had no trouble on their last trip and had no concerns this time round.
“We had a very quiet time the last time we went to Chelsea,” he said.
“It’s normally very well organised.
“There will be a police escort for the coaches when they get there and when they return to pick fans up after the game.
“We don’t expect there to be any trouble.”
