Ready to score – Northants’ Ivan Toney sees bus route named after him as World Cup campaign kicks off

Football fever is sweeping Northamptonshire, and Stagecoach Midlands is marking England's World Cup campaign by temporarily renaming its popular 9 bus services as the ‘Toney Town' service in honour of England Striker, Ivan Toney, who was born in the county.

Toney, who scored on his debut for England, came through the Northampton Town Academy, making his debut as a 17 year old, in the number 9 shirt, after being thrust in to a vital end-of-season relegation decider away at Dagenham & Redbridge. Toney scored twice in the first half on the way to a crucial 3-1 win, and he followed that up with another goal the following week against Oxford United to ensure the club stayed in the EFL.

To celebrate the now 30-year-old’s journey from Northamptonshire to the World Cup, the Toney Town service will keep its name throughout the duration of the tournament.

Stagecoach Midlands’ Head Office is based on Rothersthorpe Avenue in Northampton and is just a strong shot away from the Sixfields Stadium, where Ivan started his career.

Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: "We operate right at the heart of the county and we understand how excited our customers are about England's participation in the World Cup.

"We are incredibly proud that Ivan Toney is flying the flag for Northamptonshire on the biggest stage of all, so, we thought we would mark the occasion by renaming our 9/9A/9B service for the duration of the tournament.

"It is just a bit of fun: hopefully both our buses and Ivan will be as reliable as ever during the tournament!"

Operating from 5.09am through to 10.30pm, the 9/9A/9B Service runs as a loop, going past Sixfields Stadium.

England start their World Cup campaign this evening against Croatia.