Vengaboys ride again as County stars back on the road!
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FIRING on all cyclinders at the top of the First Division, a sextet of Ross County stars nevertheless found themselves in trouble off the field thanks to the unpredictable behaviour of a right old banger!
The P-reg Fiat Ulysse hit the heaqdlines back in October 2011 when it emerged that six of County’s squad, who all live in Inverness, had chipped in together to buy the bargain banger.
The thrift First Division stars had the brainwave that the roomy motor would help save fuel costs when travelling back and forth to training and matches.
Roomy though not always reliable, the vehicle dubbed the Vengabus was back in the new when it expired on its way to training - grinding to a halt on Dingwall High Street only 300 metres from the stadium.
Cue Inverness-based D & E Coaches, who have provided the First Team coach for away fixtures for a number of seasons and who also have strong links with both Ross County and their Black Isle Supporters Club.
When the firm caught wind of the mechanical mishaps being suffered by Steven Craig, Paul Lawson, Michael Gardyne, Jonathan Flynn, Grant Munro and Russell Duncan, a helpful mechanic stepped in to offer his help.
The D & E team made the necessary repairs and got the Vengabus back on the road as the squad - six points clear at the top - prepares for crucuial matches at home to Partick Thistle and Tuesday and away to Hamilton on Saturday.
The superstitious amongst the County faithful worried that this might be an omen. Yet whilst the Vengabus was on the critical list, the team notched up wins away to Ayr United and at home to Queen of the South.
Indeed it was one of the club’s ‘Vengaboys’, Michael Gardyne, who notched the winner on Saturday.
Club, fans and D & E have joined forces again to provide subsidised travel for Staggies fans to the two away fixtures in March at Hamilton Academical on Saturday, March 10 and Partick Thistle on Saturday March 24 at a cost of just £10 per seat.
The club meanwhile has paid warm tribute to Donald Mathieson and the team at D & E Coaches for their support in getting the faithful ‘Vengy’ back on the road.
Despite getting a clean bill of health, it will happily not be required to make the trip to Hamilton on Saturday as the team and supporters' coaches D & E are already providing should manage the job!
Any fans wishing to book on to the supporters' buses for either this Saturday’s trip to Hamilton or the match against Partick Thistle should do so through the main reception at Victoria Park either in person or by telephoning 01349 860860.
We'll have a full update from the County camp and a report of the club's most recent two matches in this week's Ross-shire Journal.
