Rail strikes to cause chaos for football fans on EFL opening weekend

Rail strikes set to cause CHAOS for football fans on opening weekend of the EFL season as eight rail companies vote for 24-hour walkout over pay on July 30

  • The Championship, League One and League Two seasons start on July 30
  • Union members at eight train companies have voted for a 24-hour walkout
  • It will cause chaos for football fans wishing to travel to games on these routes 
  • LNER, Greater Western and Greater Anglia are among the companies affected
  • July 30 also sees the Community Shield between Liverpool and Man City 

Football fans face chaos on the opening weekend of the EFL season after train drivers at eight rail companies voted to strike on Saturday July 30.

There are nine Championship fixtures on that day as well as 12 in each of League One and League Two, plus the FA Community Shield between Liverpool and Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.

Spectators travelling to events on the second day of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are also set to be affected by West Midlands Trains joining the strike action. 

Rail union Aslef said members at eight companies – Arriva Rail London; Chiltern Railways; Greater Anglia; Great Western; Hull Trains; LNER; Southeastern and West Midlands Trains – will walk out for 24 hours over pay.

It could potentially impact thousands of football supporters who will be relying on the trains to get them to opening day fixtures, with many having already booked advance tickets.

More train companies could yet join the strike, exacerbating the problems for fans as the new campaign kicks off. There will also be a 24-hour strike on Wednesday July 27.

Football fans are set to be affected by a rail strike on the opening weekend of the EFL season

Union members at eight train companies have voted for a 24-hour walkout on July 30

Union members at eight train companies have voted for a 24-hour walkout on July 30

Supporters who could be adversely affected include Norwich City fans heading to Cardiff City, given their journey would involve Greater Anglia and Great Western trains.

Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: ‘We don’t want to go on strike – strikes are the result of a failure of negotiation – and this union, since I was elected general secretary in 2011, has only ever been on strike, until this year, for a handful of days.

‘We don’t want to inconvenience passengers – not least because our friends and families use public transport, too, and we believe in building trust in the railways in Britain – and we don’t want to lose money by going on strike.

‘But we’ve been forced into this position by the train companies, driven by the Tory government.

Thousands of football fans who are planning to travel to games by rail could be affected

Thousands of football fans who are planning to travel to games by rail could be affected

‘The drivers at the companies where we are striking have had a real terms pay cut over the last three years – since April 2019.

‘And these companies are offering us nothing, saying their hands have been tied by the government.

‘That means, in real terms, with inflation running ahead at 9 per cent, 10 per cent, and even 11 per cent this year, according to which index you use, that they are being told to take a real terms pay cut. And that is not acceptable.

There are nine Championship games on that Saturday as well as 12 in each of Leagues 1 and 2

There are nine Championship games on that Saturday as well as 12 in each of Leagues 1 and 2

‘Strike action is, now, the only option available but we are always open to talks if the train companies, or the government, want to talk to us and make a fair and sensible offer.’

The strike action could also potentially affect those travelling longer distances for the final of the Women’s European Championship at Wembley on July 31.

Arsenal are also set to play Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium on the Saturday. 

Championship opening weekend 

Friday July 29

Huddersfield Town vs Burnley (8pm)

Saturday July 30

3pm unless stated

Blackburn Rovers vs QPR

Blackpool vs Reading

Cardiff City vs Norwich City

Luton Town vs Birmingham City

Middlesbrough vs West Brom (5.30pm)

Millwall vs Stoke City

Rotherham United vs Swansea City

Wigan Athletic vs Preston North End

Sunday July 31

Sunderland vs Coventry City (12pm)

Monday August 1

Watford vs Sheffield United (8pm) 



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