Trip-of-a-lifetime over as four stranded in New Zealand after flight cancelled

FOUR Rangers fans have lost out on the “trip of a lifetime” to Seville and are thousands of pounds out of pocket after their flight from New Zealand was cancelled without reason at the last minute.

Expats William Stuart, Graeme Thomson, Gordon Mccabe and Allan Mcdonald were due to depart Auckland in New Zealand for Doha on Sunday evening before flying on to Madrid for tonight’s match.

But as they approached the gate to board their Qatar Airways flight, an announcement was made that it had been delayed.

By the scheduled take-off time, passengers were advised to make their way back through check-in where they would be put up in a hotel for the night.

The flight has now been rescheduled for tonight – just hours before Rangers are due to kick off in southern Spain.

Now the four, who did not have tickets for the big game but planned to party with thousands of other fans in the Spanish city, have decided to abort their plan and stay in New Zealand to ensure they see the game on TV.

Mr Stuart, originally from Houston, Renfrewshire, had spent 6,000 New Zealand dollars on the trip, the majority of which he fears he won’t see again.

But it’s missing out on seeing the showpiece final that hurts the 39-year-old most.

Mr Stuart, who played professionally for Stirling Albion and East Stirling before emigrating, told the Daily Record: “I’m not even that bothered about the money – this was literally a once-in-a-lifetime trip and experience for me.

“The first part of the journey from Wellington to Auckland went to plan and then we had a six-hour wait in Auckland before our next flight to Doha .

“We got the call that our plane was boarding but when we got to the gate nothing was happening.

“I spoke with a airport employee who said the plane had major issues and there was no chance we were leaving that night.

“In the morning we met for breakfast and then the news came from the hotel that we would not be flying until the Wednesday at the earliest.

“If they had been honest with us from the start we could have sourced another flight and still made it to Seville on time but it was not possible any more.

“I missed the last final in Manchester 14 years ago as I was living in Sydney and have always regretted that and this trip was going to put that to bed.

“I feel sick, especially seeing all the videos coming out of Seville with the fans arriving. The trip was an early 40th birthday present from my wife, she knew how desperate I was to get there and cost us about $6,000.

“I have no idea how much of that I will get back, all our train tickets and accommodation in Spain are gone, as are our flights from Spain to Scotland.

“We were all coming back to Scotland for the Scottish Cup final before heading back to New Zealand the day after it.

“It would have been amazing to be there in person but the main thing now is the team go and get the result we want and take the trophy home.”