Plane that left 50 supporters behind
It should have been the biggest day out of their lives, but the hopes of more than 50 Southend United fans heading to the LDV Vans Trophy Final were grounded before they even left town.
They were left behind because their plane needed more fuel in high winds, leaving fans such as Stephen Salt to watch the match on TV.
Having paid at least £200 each, 130 supporters expected to fly from Southend to Cardiff for the match against Blackpool at the Millennium Stadium through a special matchday package arranged by the club.
However, a combination of high winds and too much aviation fuel meant half of them were not at the ground in time to see their heroes kick off at 1pm.
While more than 45 fans arrived at the match at half-time, around 15 decided not to make the journey and watched the match at home on TV.
Stephen Salt, said: "I am hugely disappointed. After we had checked in our host from Southend United, Brian Dear, told us the plane had too much fuel on board and that they could only carry half the passengers."
Southend United used flight bookers Bookajet to charter a Boeing 737-200 from European Aviation Air Charter (EAL).
EAL commercial director Ken Dyer told how the Boeing 737 was forced to ditch some passengers in favour of vital extra fuel. He said: "Southend Airport has a fairly limited performance because of a short runway and when the wind is in a certain direction there is a church spire which interferes with take off."