Stoke City to Offer Free Travel to Away Matches

Stoke City FC have announced that they have started a new travel initiative to “ease the financial burden on fans who follow City on their travels.”

The football club is set to provide free coach travel to all of the team’s away matches in the Premier League for the 2013-14 season, funded by the team’s increased TV revenue. The initiative is the first of its kind for any team in England’s top four divisions, according to the club’s chief executive.

“As a club we are conscious that following football can be an expensive business, especially at a time when so many people are feeling the squeeze financially,” said Stoke’s Chief Executive Tony Scholes. “We work hard to try and provide our supporters with value for money which is why we have not increased our ticket prices since being promoted to the Premier League in 2008.

“However, we realise how expensive following the club away from home can be for supporters and we’re delighted to be able to offer free coach travel and hope it encourages more of them to give us their fantastic backing away from home.”

The offers will include all 19 away league matches starting with Stoke’s 17 August match in Liverpool.

Stoke is guaranteed to an increase of around £14m due to a new TV deal which in total is worth around £5.5 billion.