Faroes to rescue after fans' dream blown apart by storm

Published on Wednesday 16 July 2008 22:04

IT SEEMED like a perfect plan. When Manchester City football fans found that their team would be playing a key Uefa qualifying match today on the Faroe Islands, they decided to charter a trawler to take them there.

But having travelled eight hours from Manchester to Aberdeen, then a further 12 by ferry to Lerwick in Shetland, their plans fell apart when storm-force winds hit the area and waves more than 16ft high prevented the trawler from leaving the harbour for the final 26-hour leg of their journey, leaving the fans stranded.

The skipper of the 72ft converted trawler the Three Sisters told Leighton Gobbett, who had organised the trip, that it was not safe to attempt the crossing from Lerwick.

"The skipper said it was just not possible to take the boat out, unfortunately," said Mr Gobbett.

"We actually said we want to go out in whatever conditions. We were all quite happy to hop on this morning and go for it, but he said it really was too dangerous.

"Obviously we were disappointed, but we've had a lot of fun and a great time already. Everybody knew this might happen.

"Everybody knew that the weather was unpredictable and that the boat might not be able to leave the harbour.

"We were willing to take any form of transport to get us there."

But as their dream faded and the party members resigned themselves to having to make their way back home without seeing their side take on EB/Streymur, a more conventional form of transport came to the rescue when a Faroes-based airline agreed to pick them up.

The Atlantic Airways flight was chartered for the group free of charge.

Magni Arge, the airline's president, said: "We've agreed to help these Manchester City supporters because this is a great event in the Faroes having Manchester City here.

"This is a great opportunity for us to show there is an airline based in the Faroes which can serve both Shetland and the Faroe Islands, and we've got some sponsors to help us make this feasible."

Each supporter had paid 285 for the boat and the journey to Trshavn on the Faroes.

The group is expected to arrive in time for the team to take on EB/Streymur. It is not known if the fans plan to return to the UK by sea.