A COACH-load of Kop-mad Cumbrians had a scare after their vehicle broke down en route to the crucial Liverpool versus Villareal Champions League semi-final tie at Anfield last week.

Fans praised the slick transport operator, as a substitute coach was quickly shuttled in to whisk the travelling redmen to the game on time.

The regular group of Cumbrian supporters travel to games from Whitehaven, Workington, Cockermouth, Ambleside and Kendal.

Most of the supporters go to every home game, with some going to away games and all over Europe to cheer on the Reds.

Last week the group had a moment of 'slight panic' when their coach broke down on a Lakes road whilst en route to see Liverpool play in the first leg of the semi-final.

Talking about when the coach broke down, supporter Tony Wedgwood said: "When we realised the coach broke down, it was a case of... 'well, at least we aren't on the motorway'.

"But then a bit of panic set in as nobody could get a signal on a phone to get help so then there was a bit of panic thinking we wouldn't get down in time."

However, thanks to the quick work from coach company, the supporters were soon on their way to watch their beloved team, after the driver walked back to a building to get some signal to call for help.

The supporters thanked the coach company, who they travel with regularly, for their quick response in what they said was an 'unfortunate incident'.

They use the buses regularly and have never had any previous breakdowns.

Tony said: "The coach company were excellent; they had a replacement coach there within a hour of contact.

"As we couldn't get a signal the driver walked 20 minutes back to the nearest building to use a phone."

Despite the moment of panic the supporters said that the trip was 'definitely worth it' as the Cumbrians went on to see their team win 2-0, playing in the second leg of the semi-final tonight.

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Tony said: "It was definitely worth it as we won the first leg 2-0.

"The second leg is on Tuesday in Spain, if we win hopefully we will all be making the trip to Paris on May 28 for the final... and yes we are travelling by coach."