TOWN fan Gary Mellor is flying home to support his beloved team.

The 41-year-old supporter - who has lived in Canada for the past 30 years - is determined not to miss Monday's big play-off final against Mansfield Town.

So he has arranged a flight from Ontario to the UK, arriving at the weekend in time to travel to Cardiff for Monday's match at the Millennium Stadium.

The move has delighted but not surprised his aunt, Mrs Audrey Mellor, of Scholes.

She said: "That's just like Gary. He was planning to come over for a holiday in August but the day he heard Town had got through to the final, he was on the phone telling me he would be coming for the match.

"He watches as many games as he can on satellite TV but was determined not to miss this one - even if it is going to cost him $500 for the flight."

Gary, a divorcee with two daughters, used to live in Linthwaite.

He will be at Cardiff with Audrey's son Russ, a lifelong friend, and other pals.

* Town fans are being urged to pre-book train tickets to get to Cardiff next Monday.

Virgin Trains have warned that supporters could be left without tickets if they do not arrange their travel before the match day.

The company is expecting a busy day on the tracks with people heading out to enjoy the bank holiday.

Virgin spokesman David Ewart said: "We cannot put on any additional trains because all of them are in use and our franchise agreement does not allow it anyway.

"Without a seat reservation fans should not expect to be able to even board the trains - we really do expect them to be that busy on Monday.

"Our advice to people is to sort out the details of their journey and book as soon as they can if they are planning to travel by train."

Virgin director of security said the company had worked with the Transport Police to help sort out any problems.

He said: "We are being up front with supporters to enable them to make alternative travel arrangements and avoid disappointment."