If you're thinking of staying over for the Grand Final, prepare for a big hit financially. The hotel prices are eye-watering. The reason: the rugby union world cup.

England play Uruguay at the Manchester City ground on the same day and most places are full.

Maybe I'm cynical, but I'm convinced it's a deliberate ploy by the rugby union to take the gloss off the Grand Final. The only group match being played in Manchester is a non-event but bound to attract a crowd, and on the same day as the Grand Final.

And if you think that First Transpennine have some sort of master plan to cope with an influx of supporters, you're going to be seriously disappointed.

The way that they handled the RLWC Final crowds was an absolute shambles.

The benefits of privatisation to the fore. You KNOW the right wing apologists will support the lack of service to the customer, as long as the imaginary concept of PROFIT at all costs is the reason.
The entire First group is the worst aspect of privatisation failing to provide, except to the lazy,get something for nothing, sponging shareholders, a service that is customer led.

I'm sure we will cope.

Same with Northern Rail. I quite often go to Liverpool on a Friday or Saturday night and get the last train home. It is invariably over crowded and often the police won't let it leave the station until they've added another couple of carriages, happens all the time. God knows what the situation will be in Manchester that evening. Last grand final they couldn't cope and we ended up missing our train home. It's only going to be worse this year with a RU international on the same day.