On behalf of the Supporters Trust, we should like to apologise for the need to cancel the proposed trip to Ebbsfleet. It was a decision made most reluctantly as a result of the unbelievably low number of bookings received by Wednesday evening – four plus Karen and Gill, our travel stewards – a total of six for the 49-seater coach booked!! Attempts were made to source a smaller coach which proved unsuccessful and the only option was to cancel the trip, as to provide it would have incurred a totally unacceptable cost to Trustfunds.
Importantly, coach travel is for ALL fans, and not exclusive toTrust members, with the objective to break-even, and, as such, we are grateful for the sponsorship provided by the Ogden family in assisting the Trust in reducing the cost of providing the service.However, there still remains a cost for the Trust to recover with bookings made in order to achieve a break-even position.
The success of the coach operation requires the support of the fans who have expressed the need for such a service, but without whosesupport the Trust will be unable to run the service.
The Trust appreciates that the National League involving so many “down south” trips, with the resultant associated costs, can result init being difficult for supporters to attend every away game, and thatis precisely the reason the Ogden family approached the Trust, and we agreed, that their financial contribution might assist supporters to follow the Dale by offering subsidised coach travel as an alternative, perhaps, to other options available.
Since the Ogden family came on the scene at Dale there has been a feeling of positivity which is being represented on the pitch, and the coach travel may assist supporters to be part of this positivity. The Trust realise the difficulties in providing such a service, and are aware that any cancellation affects its. The fixtures covered up to the Ebbsfleet trip have illustrated how successful the service can prove, for which we have received most favourable reports from those using the service.
Finally, on the “swings and roundabouts” theory, some trips will assist in subsidising others, and we have an example of that with the FA Cup tie against Fylde on the 12th. Bookings are now being taken at £15 per head – at £7.50 each way!! That has to be an attractive alternative as opposed to any others means, so book now. It’s taking advantage of trips such as these that could provide othertrips requiring a subsidy and prevent future cancellations being required such as Ebbsfleet.