A THRIVING Prestwich travel agency has become something of a fixture for avid soccer fans eager to follow their favourites abroad.

For in just five years, the Independent Travel Club run by Tony Welch has established itself as one of the country's biggest sports tours operators.

Now, to complement the business, Tony is diversifying into the retail holiday sector in a tie-up with the United Co-op Travel-backed Freedom Travel Group.

Tony launched the Independent Travel Club for sports tours and groups in 1998. Now, he has more than 9,000 clients and charters his own aircraft to take fans to major sporting events all over Europe.

"We do all the major business for the Champions League and UEFA Cup matches for England and Scotland teams," explained Tony.

He flew 2,000 Celtic supporters to Seville for the UEFA Cup final last year and 3,000 Manchester United fans to Barcelona for the Champions League decider in 1999.

Soccer is top of the table for the travel club, whose telesales operation is based at Bury New Road, but the agency has also flown out large groups to a number of other sporting occasions embracing boxing and grand prix events.

"Sports tours are getting bigger and better," says 40-year-old Tony. "We started the company off with a £1.5 million turnover in the first year".

Now, the link established with United Co-op Travel's Freedom Travel Group will enable his business to become even more competitive.