Chelsea fans stranded in Liverpool as chartered train put on by club’s travel operator leaves without them
Thomas Cook Sport took supporters from London Euston and Watford to the North West but coaches were caught in traffic returning from the game
Sponsored by
ANGRY Chelsea fans were left stranded in Liverpool last night after a chartered train left without them.
The Blues' travel partner Thomas Cook Sport arranged travel to Merseyside from London Euston and Watford.
But hundreds of supporters missed the return leg after two of the four coaches taking them from Anfield to Liverpool South Parkway were delayed in traffic.
Thomas Cook told fans the train would not wait for them before their trip but people were fuming as over half of them missed the service through no fault of their own.
A Thomas Cook spokesman said: "Two of our coaches arrived late to the station after hitting traffic that was worse than expected on a matchday.
"Unfortunately we can't hold the train past its scheduled departure time because the tracks need to be clear for other trains.
"We've arranged coaches to bring our delayed customers back to London, and we are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
A member of their customer service team added on Twitter: "This is a charter train and has a set timed path in between normal passenger services, unfortunately it isn't as easy as just delaying its departure."
The coaches put on to finally get fans home from the 5.30 kick-off had no left Liverpool at 10 past midnight - as the train was set to arrive in London.
WHERE THERE'S A WILL Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 match highlights: Willian climbs off the bench to rescue Blues after Mo Salah struck to haunt former club
One fan later revealed on Twitter they had arrived back at Euston at 6am.
Many had left bags in the carriages while attending the 1-1 draw - leaving them without their personal belongings.
Thomas Cook are trying to arrange a collection point for those affected.
There was some good news for the Blues, who saw Willian cancel out former winger Mohamed Salah's opener to earn a valuable point.