Late Arrivals at the New Den

Nearly half of Hereford United's travelling support missed most of the first half of last night's game as the coaches bringing them to the New Den were late.

One of the drivers told those travelling on his coach that because of traffic chaos around central London Yeomans had decided to take a longer route to Millwall.

Yet the 'Funbus' which left Edgar Street at the same time as the coaches reached the ground in time for the start of the game.

Knowing the weather conditions were poor and the route to Millwall not easy at the best of times, questions need to be asked why it was decided to take a 55 minute stop at Reading Services.

Luke Powell who runs the Junior Bulls was particularily disappointed with the late arrival of his coach. It was supposed to leave Hereford at 1.45 but was 25 minutes late setting off.

It was the first time a Junior Bulls had run. It was thought that a trip to Millwall during half-term would be ideal for the youngsters given no school the following morning.

Another of the coaches had an unscheduled stop when the smoke alarm went off not long after leaving Hereford.

When eventually the coaches arrived in the Millwall area, they hit more traffic problems. At this stage some supporters abandoned the coaches and proceeded to walk to the stadium.

Problems getting to the stadium had been well documented on this site in an article last weekend.

Being on the east side of London village, this evening kick-off means that you will be approaching during peak traffic time. It therefore follows that any advice I give is likely to result in you sitting impatiently in a non-moving queue while repeatedly glancing at your watch as kick-off time comes and goes...you should allow not less than four and a half hours.

Leaving Hereford at around 2.10 and taking 55 minutes for a break at Reading left little spare time for coaches to reach Millwall.

Perhaps if all the travelling support had arrived to watch all of the game, the outcome might have been different.

Update: The rules for coach drivers explain that a break of 45 minutes was required at Reading.

The following additional rules on taking rest breaks when you are driving, also apply:-
• after four and a half hours of driving you must take a rest of 45 minutes

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