OUTBOUND flights to Manchester were due to be "operating to full capacity" this morning as they transported thousands of Ulster Glasgow Rangers fans to the mainland to cheer on the lads in the UEFA Cup Final.
Supporters will be soaking up the sunshine as they prepare for the game against Zenit St Petersburg of Russia at the City of Manchester Stadium.
And if the boys in blue lift the trophy they will be doing so as part of a historic ‘quadruple’ – givi
ng their fans even more cause for celebration.
In total, around 100,000 fans are expected to invade the city.
Demand for tickets to tonight’s match was so fierce that they were reportedly selling on the internet for as much as £1,000 each.
Many fans are making the journey minus a ticket but nonetheless determined to enjoy the atmosphere of the occasion and have a good time whatever the outcome.
In a bid to cater for such ticket-less supporters, Manchester City Council has set up three fanzones which will include giant screens.
These will be located at Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens and Piccadilly Gardens and will cater for 23,000 fans.
For those not lucky enough to be travelling the short distance over the Irish Sea to Manchester it will be a case of heading to the pub to enjoy the match over a pint.
Rangers have been given 13,000 tickets – an equal share with their Russian opponents in the 44,000-capacity stadium.
The rest of the tickets, around 18,000, have been swallowed up by UEFA.
The full article contains 268 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
