Fans will travel thousand miles more to away games

2 hours ago Share Save Sam Dixon-French BBC News, Brighton Share Save

Getty Images One expert said the additional miles could lead fans to “pick and choose” which away fixtures they attended

Fans of Brighton & Hove Albion will need to travel a thousand miles more to away games this season compared with last year. With Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton relegated to the Championship and Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland promoted to the Premier League, Albion now have an extra 1,064 miles to travel. Football finance expert Kieran McGuire said it could lead some fans to “pick and choosing” which of the away fixtures they attend. But Albion super fan Adrian Newnham said he was not deterred and was looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s interesting and exciting that there are some new grounds that we’re going to be visiting,” he said. “We moved to an electric vehicle a couple of years ago and we drive to most away games. “It’s one thing about the distance but it’s also the extra logistics that go into making sure we’re travelling in the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way.”

Keen for new grounds

But for those without an electric vehicle, it could cost more than £100 extra in fuel this season thanks to an estimated 18 hours extra spent in the car. Mr McGuire has given his thoughts on which games fans will be most keen to go to. “There’s an awful lot of Albion fans who haven’t been to Sunderland, for example, so I think they’ll prioritise that one and also going to Everton’s new ground,” he said. “But, Burnley and some of the others in the north, perhaps not. People will also be looking at kick-off times.” Consumer expert Harry Kind said: “If you’re making a long trip it’s really worth shopping in advance and finding the cheapest fuel on your route. “A service station will have more expensive fuel but supermarkets can vary massively, and even towns that happen to be by an oil refinery can be a lot cheaper. “If you’re travelling by train a lot this season then it’s worth investing in a rail card.”