Fan flies via Barcelona instead of taking train

A Brighton-based Coventry City fan has flown via Barcelona for his sides away match against Blackburn Rovers as it was cheaper than taking the train.

James Roach paid £84 for two flights – from Gatwick to Barcelona and back from Spain to Manchester. A single train ticket from London to Preston would have cost him £85, he said.

He is due to land back in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) at 14:00 GMT on Friday and will take the train to Blackburn, checking in to a hotel in Preston en route, before heading to Ewood Park to watch the match in the evening.

Roach said that he wanted to go on a solo trip somewhere not too far away and that had sunshine. He told the BBC: "I used to go to Barcelona when I was younger on holiday but haven't been for a while. I love the city. It's great and so easy to get around."

During the Spanish stopover, he visited Casa Batllo, Fundació Joan Miró and the Sagrada Família, which he said was "the best building I've ever seen".

When walking in the city on Wednesday night, he said many bars were showing the Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Barcelona's rivals, Real Madrid. He added: "Every time Bayern scored, there was a massive roar that went up around the bars and in the city."

Roach was born and raised in Coventry but moved down to Brighton two years ago with his wife. He still holds a season ticket to the Sky Blues.

A point in their match on Friday night will see Coventry City promoted to the Premier League, with Roach predicting a 2-0 victory.