A Gesture to Applaud: Stoke City Shows the Way for Fan Travel

As a proud Swansea City fan, it’s not often you find yourself looking enviously at Stoke City, but today, my hat is well and truly off to the Potters. Their decision to continue to offer free coach travel to all their supporters for the entire 2025/2026 season is a truly magnificent gesture, one that puts fan engagement and loyalty at the very forefront. It’s a move that speaks volumes about their understanding of the modern football supporter and the financial pressures we all face.

Think about what this truly means. For Stoke fans, gone are the days of worrying about rising fuel costs, expensive train tickets, or the general logistical nightmare of arranging away day travel. Imagine the excitement of knowing that every single away game, from the shortest hop to the longest trek across the country, is now accessible without the added burden of transport costs. This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about fostering a deeper connection between the club and its fanbase. It removes a significant barrier for many, allowing more families, more young fans, and more loyal stalwarts to follow their team, home and away.

The atmosphere at away games is often electric, fuelled by the passion of the travelling support. When that support is amplified, when the numbers are boosted by initiatives like this, it can undoubtedly have a tangible impact on the pitch. A packed away end, vociferous and unwavering, can be the twelfth man a team desperately needs. It can lift spirits, intimidate opponents, and drive players to go that extra mile. This is the vision Stoke City have clearly embraced, understanding that investing in their fans directly translates to investing in the team’s potential success.

And this is where, sadly, my admiration for Stoke quickly turns into a pang of frustration and disappointment when I look closer to home. While Stoke City are setting a commendable precedent, Swansea City, my beloved Swans, have unfortunately gone down a drastically different and disheartening path. Instead of embracing ways to support our loyal travelling contingent, we have, regrettably, gone down a route of cancelling the buses full stop for certain fixtures.

It’s a decision that has baffled and angered many members of the Jack Army. Our away following has always been something to be proud of. Through thick and thin, in the Premier League, Championship, or even the darkest days in the lower leagues, the Swans have always been backed by a dedicated and often sizeable travelling support. We’ve earned a reputation as one of the best away followings in the country, bringing noise, colour, and unwavering passion to every ground we visit.

To then pull the rug out from under those very fans by making away travel more difficult and expensive feels like a betrayal. It’s a short-sighted approach that prioritises cost-cutting over the invaluable connection with our supporters. When you consider the vast distances many of us travel, often on a Tuesday night or early Saturday kick-off, the withdrawal of official club transport leaves many in a difficult position. It disproportionately affects those who rely on organised travel, those without cars, or those who simply prefer the camaraderie of travelling together.

This is why I implore the Swans Trust to raise this issue with the club again, with renewed vigour. This cannot be allowed to stand. We need to be challenging the rationale behind these cancellations and pushing for solutions that genuinely support our fanbase, rather than hindering them. Stoke City have proven it’s possible to make away travel accessible and affordable; why can’t we?

Imagine what a gesture like Stoke’s could mean for Alan Sheehan and the team.  Our manager would benefit immensely from having an even stronger, more numerous Jack Army cheering them on from the away end. A bigger, louder away following can undoubtedly inspire players, push them harder, and create an undeniable home-away-from-home atmosphere. It provides a morale boost that statistics simply can’t capture. In the Championship, where every point is hard-fought, that extra push from the stands can be the difference between a draw and a win, or a loss and a hard-earned point.

Stoke City have laid down a marker. They have shown what a club can do when it genuinely values its supporters and understands the immense contribution they make. It’s time for Swansea City to take a long, hard look in the mirror and learn from their counterparts. Our loyal Jack Army deserves better than cancelled buses; we deserve a club that actively seeks to make supporting them as easy and enjoyable as possible. The ball is in the club’s court – let’s hope they answer the call and give our fantastic away following the support they truly deserve.