Extra train services for Blues Wembley rush
As Birmingham City fans leave the region to head to London, enhanced train services have been put on to accommodate the rush.
More than 40,000 fans are expected to travel to Wembley Stadium as the team takes on Peterborough in the final of the Vertu Trophy.
London Northwestern Railway (LNR) said more than 20 services would leave the region for London, including a number of additional trains, offering about 13,000 seats.
Chiltern Railways said it would operate an enhanced service from Warwick Parkway to maximise the number of customers it could take, but this meant trains would not call at a number of stations en route.
The company explained three Chiltern services per hour were running from 09:00 BST to London Marylebone, but none of its trains would operate from Birmingham Moor Street, Solihull, Dorridge, Lapworth, Hatton or Warwick for the entire day.
"A limited rail replacement service will be in operation from Leamington Spa, calling at Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway and Stratford-upon-Avon," it added.
LNR said fans leaving from Stechford, Lea Hall and Marston Green should travel from Birmingham New Street where possible, as it was likely trains would be full when arriving from Birmingham.
The operator, as well as Avanti West Coast, runs services from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, after which fans can travel via the London Underground to the stadium.
Fans, including comedian Jasper Carrot, have expressed their excitement for the cup final, which Birmingham last won in 1995.
Blues fan Chris Jay is travelling more than 4,000 miles from Atlanta, Georgia for the game.
He moved to America with his wife, Courtney Jay, in 2021 and said he had explained to her how "you don't get to Wembley very often being a Birmingham fan, so you do everything you can to get back".
On Saturday, the team became champions of League One after Wrexham failed to win their lunchtime game at Wigan.
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Birmingham win League One title after Wrexham draw
Blues set for Amazon doc as fans head to Wembley
Birmingham City Football Club
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Addison Barger's RBI double
Blues Have Clear Free-Agent Defenseman To Target One area the St. Louis Blues should be looking to improve this off-season is the right side of their defense. Bringing in a top-four right-shot defenseman would certainly give their roster a boost as they look take another step forward in 2025-26. 4:17 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea bring in Livia Peng as first summer addition
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Swiss international goalkeeper Livia Peng from Werder Bremen on a four-year contract. The 23-year-old will officially link up with the Blues on 1 July, once her current deal expires, and is expected to compete with Hannah Hampton for the starting spot under new head coach Sonia Bompastor. Advertisement Peng arrives as a direct replacement for Sweden's Zecira Musovic, who is set to leave the club this summer when her contract runs out. Capped seven times by Switzerland, Peng previously enjoyed success at FC Zurich, where she helped the side secure league and cup doubles in both 2019 and 2022. She joined Werder Bremen in 2023 and quickly became their first-choice keeper, starting all but one of their Frauen-Bundesliga matches last season as they finished seventh. Speaking about his move, Livia said: "I'm excited about everything. I'm looking forward to meeting the team, the staff, and everyone at the club. The support here is so big, I can't wait to play at Stamford Bridge. Advertisement "I'm excited to meet the fans at the stadium. I've heard so many good things about them. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Chelsea family is like. I want to feel their passion and support."
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Manchester City seal move for Rayan Cherki in time for Club World Cup
'I have worked so hard for his all my life': Rayan Cherki is unveiled as a Manchester City player. 'I have worked so hard for his all my life': Rayan Cherki is unveiled as a Manchester City player. Photograph: Isaac Parkin/Courtesy of Manchester City Manchester City have completed the signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon, in time for the attacking midfielder to feature at the upcoming Club World Cup. The 21-year-old, who has made almost 200 appearances for Lyon and earned two France caps, has signed a contract until 2030. City will pay a reported initial fee of €36m (£30.5m) plus add-ons, with the move announced just in time for the 7pm (BST) deadline to register players for Fifa's 32-team club tournament in the United States. Advertisement Related: Men's transfer window summer 2025: all deals from Europe's top five leagues Cherki is the club's third signing in two days as the new director of football, Hugo Viana, begins reshaping Pep Guardiola's squad after a disappointing season. Left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri arrived from Wolves for £31m on Monday, while Marcus Bettinelli will replace the departing Scott Carson as third-choice goalkeeper after joining from Chelsea on Tuesday. 'This is a dream for me,' said Cherki after completing his move. 'To be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.' 'I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can't wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff,' he added. 'I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future.' Advertisement Viana said Cherki, who can play in the middle or as a winger on either flank, is 'a player our scouts have watched for a long time. We have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play.' Cherki, who has spent his entire career to date with his home town club, posted a tribute to Lyon on Instagram after the transfer was confirmed. 'Thousands of emotions, hundreds of memories and an indelible imprint on my heart,' he wrote. 'I hope to continue making you proud and represent 'Lyon DNA' with dignity.' City are close to completing the signing of the Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders after a €55m (£46.3m) fee was agreed last week. The club also announced two coaching arrivals on Tuesday with Pepijn Lijnders, who worked under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, appointed assistant coach. James French, an analyst at Anfield for more than a decade, moves to the Etihad as a set-piece coach.
