- On Sunday 26 February, First Southampton will offer free bus travel across the network to fans sporting a Southampton FC shirt
- Southampton FC to play Manchester United in EFL Cup Final at Wembley
First Southampton is getting behind Southampton FC when they go marching to Wembley to face Manchester United in the EFL Cup Final on 26 February. The local bus operator is giving fans free travel across the network providing they are wearing a Southampton FC shirt.
As Saints only have a 31,000 ticket allocation, many fans are expected to head into the city centre for the game or watch it at their local pubs across the city. To make the memorable day as easy as possible, First Southampton is rewarding fans with free travel before and after the 4:30pm kick-off. The offer is available across the entire First Southampton network and the Solent Ranger X4/X5 services from the Bursledon Railway station into Southampton.
Southampton FC have never won the EFL Cup, formally known as the League Cup, but confidence will be high as the south coast side saw off Premier League opposition, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Arsenal and Liverpool, en route to Wembley. Saints fans will be hoping for a repeat of the 1976 FA Cup Final when they beat Manchester United by a solitary goal from Bobby Stokes.
Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Southampton, said: “The whole city is so proud of the football team for reaching the EFL Cup final, it’s one of the biggest achievements in their recent history. We know that before, during and after the game, the city is going to be buzzing with Saints fans. By offering free travel around the city, it’ll give everyone a chance to enjoy the match and not have to worry about parking or having a drink.”