Sky Bet helps fans at Brighton and Hove Albion v Cardiff City
Tuesday 24 January 2017 21:15, UK
EFL sponsors Sky Bet have covered the cost of travel for over 1000 fans attending Tuesday night’s clash between Brighton and Cardiff City at the American Express Community Stadium.
The original fixture was due to be played on December 30 but it was rescheduled for January 24 after being postponed due to heavy fog.
Cardiff City fans who made the 200-mile round trip left Brighton disappointed, but Sky Bet stepped in with an offer of free travel for the rescheduled game and over 250 Bluebirds have made the journey once again.
With the new date affected by industrial action by rail workers, thousands of Albion fans were also left in limbo, so Sky Bet sponsored 12 contingency buses across two additional park-and-ride sites in Brighton & Hove, to take fans to the Amex for the match.
Sky Bet sponsorship manager David Tweed said: "We never like to see any fans let down after showing such a great level of commitment in getting to the game, especially on a weekday.
"We were only too happy to help with the travel arrangements for the rescheduled fixture and are delighted that a good number of fans have made it along for the game tonight - let's hope it's a good one."
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock said: "A massive thanks to EFL sponsor Sky Bet for stepping in with the offer to cover our fans' travel for the game tonight.
"It's a huge commitment to travel such long distances on week nights and myself, the players and the club as a whole are always hugely grateful.
"For them to have travelled all the way to Brighton in the week after Christmas, to have to turn around and go straight back was hard to see, so thanks to Sky Bet for their gesture."
Brighton & Hove Albion Chief Executive Paul Barber said: "We are very grateful to Sky Bet for their sponsorship. Due to the ongoing rail dispute it has been a really tough season in terms of travel for our fans; not to mention our operations team, who've done a tremendous job in terms of providing regular contingency travel around the rail disruptions.
"This has been very costly for the club, particularly for the Cardiff City match - having already arranged and paid for contingency travel services for the original game - so this sponsorship is extremely welcomed by the club, and I'd like to thank Sky Bet for their support."
