State-of-the-art coach is newest addition to Iron's team
A STATE-of-the-art team coach is the newest signing for the town's football club.
The coach, which has cost just under £320,000, rolled into Glanford Park yesterday, equipped with 44 seats and a variety of everyday facilities.
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ALL ABOARD: Scunthorpe United's manager Alan Knill and team thank Barnards Coaches operations manager Martin Gregory for showing them the team's new coach ahead of the new football season. Pictures: Paul Torrie. Buy photos at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/scunthorpe
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TEAM COACH: Scunthorpe United's manager Alan Knill at the wheel of their team coach.
Scunthorpe United Football Club has held a partnership with Barnards Coaches for more than 13 years.
This latest addition is the fourth team coach the company has supplied the club.
Martin Gregory, operations manager for Barnards Coaches, believes this luxury coach, which comes with a private number plate, gives the club just what they need.
He said: "It has everything on board that meets the requirements of each footballer.
"There is a fully fitted kitchen at the back of the coach, together with four tables and digital freeview TV which is the newest addition from the previous coaches.
"Each coach lasts for about five years at the club then we will replace it with a more modern version.
"The reason we put on more seats than needed is because after the use at the club, our company will use it as a tour coach for the public for a few more years."
The coach also has 240-power voltage on board for which laptops and other electrical equipment can be adapted to.
There is also a microwave and a sink providing hot and cold water.
A personalised number plate will give the identity of the football club, displaying SU1 Iron.
Martin is looking forward to getting the coach on the road and testing out its facilities on board.
He said: "The coach is ready for its first trip out which will be the team's pre-season friendly match at Halifax on Saturday. It now needs to create some mileage and start to earn what we paid out.
"It is a privilege to offer a club such a high standard service and we are sure the facilities we have supplied on board will meet the team's demands.
"With every coach we buy there will be another one exactly the same bought as well.
"This is just to keep ourselves safe so that we have a back-up replacement in case anything went wrong with this one."
The new coach will now stay with the club for at least five years.
David Beeby, general manager at Scunthorpe United Football Club, is very pleased with the quality of the coach.
He said: "We thought last year's was impressive, but this one has gone that extra mile.
"The digital TV is a new addition which we have never had on our coaches before.
"The boys travel long distances to play away matches so need something that will meet their needs on the road.
"This is perfect, we are pleased with what Barnards Coaches have done for us over the years."
10 Comments
by Harrygunt
Friday, August 05 2011, 2:40PM
“Hang on minute........that charabang has been nicked from TJ'S in Brigg.! No wonder its got a funny number plate.....its clearly a ringer... well of all the brass necked cheek......wheres that crime stoppers number???”
by CKing
Friday, August 05 2011, 8:35AM
“Perhaps the new signing could be deployed in defense, Scunny need something 'solid' in the back four!”
by cjddn20
Thursday, August 04 2011, 9:35PM
“Lets hope that it rubs off and the team can equally come up with state of the art.... play?!”
by westcliff09
Thursday, August 04 2011, 8:34PM
“Wharton is cutting costs again, Alan Knill will be the new bus driver aswell as part time manager.”
by FootymadDee
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 9:57PM
“How sad !! New team coach and all people can say is about the number plate you really need to get out more and get a life !!”
by FootymadDee
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 9:55PM
“How sad all people can do is moan about the number plate get a life !”
by nick_nick_
Tuesday, July 12 2011, 5:10PM
“pstoff... it states it in the write up.”
by nick_nick_
Tuesday, July 12 2011, 4:30PM
“and there was me thinking they got a proffesional coach, you know the type that teach footballers”
by PStoff
Tuesday, July 12 2011, 4:25PM
“Where does it show the number plate? Perhaps you were fined for driving with defective vision.”
by tosiek007
Tuesday, July 12 2011, 11:42AM
“Great news about the team bus, but surely the number plate will be illegal if shown as SU1 1RON.
When purchased from DVLA, it states that numbers and figures should be shown and spaced correctly. The plate should be shown as SU11 RON, and Barnards along with SUFC should comply with the law.
I have been stopped by the police for my number plate been spaced incorrectly and was fined £60.00 and told to show it correctly or face prosecution.
Why should SUFC along with Barnards be any different to the general law abiding public.
I also know for a fact, that the new team bus will be registered on Barnards operating license at VOSA with the correct plate SU11 RON and that the registration document will also show this number.
Although it would be nice to respace our number plates to display names etc.. the law is the law and it should not be done. Especially by a professional coach operator!!!!!!
Tony B”