COLCHESTER United supporters face the second-highest estimated rail costs in League Two when travelling to away games, according to new analysis.
U’s fans could spend an estimated £2,379.80 following the U’s to away matches by rail this season - the second-highest total in the fourth tier.
New research by rail-ticketing platform TrainPal puts the average rail fare for a Colchester away fixture at £103.47, with only Exeter City supporters facing a higher estimated cost.
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Exeter fans are estimated to pay £106.78 per away match, amounting to a seasonal bill of £2,456.05.
The figures underline the financial challenge facing travelling U’s supporters, with Colchester’s North Essex location meaning several lengthy cross-country journeys are required across a League Two campaign.
Gillingham supporters rank third in the division, with an estimated average away fare of £102.17 and a seasonal total of £2,349.90.
Crawley Town (£95.80 per match) and Swindon Town (£90.84) complete the top five.
At the other end of the table, Walsall supporters have the lowest estimated rail costs in League Two - and across the four English divisions included in the study.
The Saddlers’ average away fare was put at £49.91, producing an estimated season-long spend of £1,147.98. That is more than £1,230 less than the figure calculated for Colchester fans.
TrainPal said its research, which compared estimated rail fares for away fixtures across the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two, highlights a “postcode lottery” for football supporters.
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The study suggests a club’s geographical location can have a greater bearing on the cost of away travel than the division it plays in.
Across the four divisions analysed, Plymouth Argyle supporters were estimated to face the highest overall seasonal rail bill, at £3,100.74, compared with Walsall’s £1,147.98 — a difference of almost £2,000.
The research is based on standardised fare estimates and does not account for the variety of ways supporters can reduce costs, including booking in advance, using Railcards where eligible, comparing ticket combinations and split-ticketing.
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