Chelsea organise free coach travel for their fans heading to Wolves for controversial first Christmas Eve Premier League fixture since 1995
- Chelsea will play Wolves at Molineux in a 1pm kick-off on December 24
- Decision sparked a furious backlash from fans over the scheduling decision
- Follow Mail Sport’s new Chelsea WhatsApp channel for all the breaking news
Chelsea are laying on free coaches for supporters for the club’s Christmas Eve trip to Wolves to help ease their travel concerns.
In a goodwill gesture following last week’s controversial rearrangement of the game, any Blues fan who buys a ticket will also be able to book a seat on one of the buses travelling to and from Molineux at no additional cost.
Premier League confirmation that the game was being moved, scheduling the first December 24 game since 1995, sparked a furious backlash with head coach Mauricio Pochettino agreeing he too was not happy with the fixture amendment.
Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday would have already meant travel options will be reduced.
A statement from Chelsea’s Supporters’ Trust also highlighted that, among other issues related to the change, ‘holiday transport timetables will further inconvenience supporters.’
Wolves host Chelsea in the first match on Christmas Eve in 28 years at 1pm – with the Blues laying on free coach travel for their supporters to reach Molineux
Some 3,000 Chelsea fans will be making the December 24 trip to the Black Country
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has issued a statement calling for their league game against Wolves to not be played on Christmas Eve
But having lobbied the league along with Wolves for an earlier kick-off time of 1pm Chelsea have now moved to further help their fans by deciding to arrange the coaches too.
Chelsea will have an allocation of around 3,000 for the game at Wolves.
The decision may help repair some of the damage after Chelsea came under fire earlier this season for withdrawing a subsidy for coach travel to away games for fans.
Ending the £10 tickets was branded an ‘appalling decision’ by the CST amid the club’s record-breaking transfer spending.
The club insisted the scheme was no longer ‘financially sustainable.’
A Chelsea statement confirming the coach plan for the trip to Wolves said: ‘Following the latest fixture announcements Chelsea FC will be playing Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday 24th December.
‘The club is aware that transport options are more limited than usual on this date, as it is a Sunday and also Christmas Eve.
‘We recognise the commitment of our match going supporters and appreciate the unwavering loyalty they give to watching the team, home and away.
‘Therefore, as a sign of appreciation for fans making this trip Chelsea will be offering travel as a goodwill gesture to anyone who purchases a ticket.
‘Coaches will be available to take supporters to and from the match at no cost, available to book when match tickets go on sale.’
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