Bus route renamed after Ivan Toney for World Cup
Short overview
Stagecoach Midlands has temporarily renamed bus routes in Northampton after local footballer Ivan Toney during the World Cup. The 'Toney Town' service runs past Sixfields Stadium, where Toney began his career.
Stagecoach Midlands has temporarily renamed several bus routes in Northampton after local footballer Ivan Toney to mark England's participation in the World Cup. The company has rebranded its 9, 9A and 9B services as the "Toney Town" route, honoring the former Northampton Town and England striker.
Local hero honored
Toney, 30, was born in Northampton and made his professional debut for Northampton Town in 2012. He later played for Newcastle United, Peterborough United and Brentford before moving to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. The renamed service runs daily through key parts of Northampton, including Sixfields Stadium, where Toney began his professional career.
Company statement
Mark Whitelocks, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: "We are incredibly proud that Ivan Toney is flying the flag for Northampton on the biggest stage of all, so, we thought we would mark the occasion by renaming our service for the duration of the tournament." He added: "It is just a bit of fun. Hopefully both our buses and Ivan will be as reliable as ever during the tournament."
Tournament timeline
The renamed service will operate throughout the World Cup. England began their campaign on Wednesday against Croatia. Toney left the Cobblers in 2015 and has since built a career in English football before his move to Saudi Arabia.
More on these topics
Napoli agree personal terms with Mario Gila, talks with Lazio ongoing
Napoli have reached a personal terms agreement with centre-back Mario Gila in the last 24 hours. The contract is ready, and club-to-club negotiations are underway to convince Lazio to sell.
Scotland faces heat challenge at World Cup
Scotland's World Cup campaign faces rising temperatures, with matches in Boston, Miami, and Charlotte. The team has acclimatized through early arrival and extreme environment training, but heat and humidity could impact performance against Morocco and Brazil.
Why Erling Haaland wears 'Braut' on his Norway shirt
Erling Haaland adds his mother's surname 'Braut' to his Norway shirt, honoring Norwegian naming traditions. The Manchester City striker uses the double surname internationally, while his club shirt only bears his father's name, Haaland.
Modric and Croatia: Defying the Odds Again
Luka Modric, now 40, leads Croatia into the 2026 World Cup opener against England. From a childhood shaped by war to a Ballon d'Or winner, his story mirrors a nation that consistently overachieves on the global stage.
