Blackpool braced for invasion of Glasgow Rangers fans

3:38pm Monday 12th May 2008

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Blackpool is bracing itself for an invasion of Rangers fans before Wednesday's UEFA Cup final in Manchester.

About 100,000 fans are expected to travel down from Glasgow this week, and with accommodation hard to come by in Manchester, many are planning to stay in the resort for a few days.

VisitBlackpool, the resort's tourism board, even have the Rangers club crest on their website encouraging visitors from north of the border to stay in the town.

The website says: "As Blackpool is only 50 miles to the City of Manchester Stadium why not take the opportunity to incorporate your visit to this once in a lifetime final with a short break in Britain's favourite resort.

"With the wide choice of accommodation, frequent and reliable transport links to Manchester, entertainment and attractions Blackpool is the ideal location in which to be based before the match and it's legendary nightlife the place to celebrate after."

Police in Blackpool said they are not anticipating any significant trouble if the hoards of Rangers fans opt to stay in the town.

A Blackpool police spokesman said: "We believe that any fans who stay in Blackpool will be well behaved."

Rangers play Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in the final at 7.45pm on Wednesday.