Border Telegraph | News | Galashiels pair in blue heaven

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 7th May, 2008 12:00

Galashiels pair in blue heaven

By David O'Leary

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The competition off the field for Uefa Cup tickets has started for Rangers fans as football’s version of musical chairs begins.

However, a lucky few in Galashiels can rest easy as 100,000 fans vie for tickets.

The 4,500 members of Rangers travel club, of which 2 Gala locals belong, have had first option of buying the tickets.

Next come the 20,000 Rangers season ticket holders who have enrolled on the club's credit card mandate scheme.

The rest are left to fight it out online, where tickets with a face value of £75 are selling for £1,250 and upwards.

Free from this madness is John Philip, Secretary of Galashiels’ branch of Glasgow Rangers Supporters club.

He said, “Thankfully I got my ticket through the travel club but it’s a nightmare for those that haven’t.

“I know of only six people in the Borders area that have got tickets in total. However, we’re expecting 60 fans to travel down from Galashiels, 30 from Walkerburn and 40 from Selkirk.

“I’ve got to say I’ve become quite popular since they reached the final.”

Accommodation is another problem to be tackled by fans heading for the May 14 showdown with Zenit St Petersburg.

Greater Manchester tourist board has said that all rooms in the city have been reserved with some time.

This problem will fail to stop Rangers’ loyal fans who’ll beat a path to Manchester undaunted.

As Philip says, “We’re planning on heading down the morning of the game and soaking up the atmosphere, then we’ll head back up later that night. We’re looking into getting accommodation somewhere away from Manchester but we’ll see.”

Greater Manchester Police have appealed to ticketless fans to stay away from the city and Rangers chiefs have announced plans to show the game live on giant screens at Ibrox, allowing fans to join in the party without making the 200 mile trip south.

Alastair Bunya, Chairman of Galashiels’ Rangers Supporters Club, who also received a ticket through the travel club, believes that the final will be just too good an opportunity to miss for fans.

He said, “For many this final is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Many without tickets will want to be in Manchester just for the atmosphere and the craic.”

He does believe though that the ticketing leaves a lot to be desired when rewarding loyal Rangers fans.

He said, “Some fans that have had season tickets for years will not get to see the final live.

“Whilst a lot of glory hunter’s will be there, after paying those massive prices online mind.”

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