Excelsior Holidays 530 (A4 XCL) at Raunds – 1 April 2000 (435-02)

Saturday 1 April 2000 – Excelsior European Motorways later re-named Excelsior Holidays was founded in 1920 by Walter Maitland and was latterly managed by his son Vernon Maitland O.B.E. who became a well-known figure in the British coaching industry. In 1997 the business was sold to the Flights Travel Group of Birmingham and the Flights style livery is carried here by 530 (A4 XCL), a Plaxton Première 320 bodied Volvo B10M.

The original Excelsior also had a distinctive livery and a range of cherished registration numbers in the XEL and EXC series.

It was seen at the Raunds Town football ground in Northamptonshire having brought the away opposing team from Bashley (Hampshire). The engine was ticking over prior to taking the victorious Bashley team (who scored the only goal) back home to Hampshire.