CARDIFF was today rolling out the red carpet ready to welcome a blue and white army as 30,000 Rovers fans hit the road to glory.

Supporters were today preparing to make the trip to the Millennium Stadium for Sunday's Worthington Cup showdown with Spurs by car, coach, train and even plane -- and some had already set off.

And excited fans were predicting a great weekend and a victory to lift the gloom of the battle against relegation from the Premier League.

Rovers have not been to a major cup final since the 3-0 FA Cup defeat by Wolves in 1960 and Deputy Mayor of Cardiff Coun Christine Priday, said: "We are delighted to welcome Blackburn Rovers fans to Cardiff for what should be a memorable occasion.

"The council is working with many partner organisations to ensure that this will be an enjoyable and memorable visit to the city."

Hotel rooms in and around the city have been booked up for weeks and Cardiff Council's chief marketing and tourism officer Paul Jenkins said people should try other towns nearby and drive in, making use of the park and ride scheme.

Pauline Perkins, secretary of the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Association, said she would be travelling as a steward on one of Rovers' official coaches.

She said: "I have a 6am start on Sunday. I am really looking forward to it. I went in 1960 and I was really disappointed. So I am looking forward to it this time because I think we'll have a win."

Her son, Marcus Perkins, will also be travelling as a steward, but husband Ian will stay at home, as he supports Manchester City.

She added: "I have bought myself a new scarf, but will be wearing the same shirt and the same anorak I always wear -- although it might get a wash!"

Guy Wignall, 41, chairman of Blackburn Rovers Disabled Supporters Club, said he would be getting up at around 5am on Sunday to travel on a minibus with other members of the supporters club.

"It will be a long day. I will be going with trepidation really because of what has happened in the past and what is happening now. It is a real experience."

He added that he had bought a new hat and two flags for the day.

Howard Tomlinson, a member of Blackburn Rovers Supporters Club, said: "It is a once in a lifetime experience, or at least, it doesn't come round that often. But it will be a damn good game of football. I think we will sneak a 1-0 win. I think we are ready for it."

He and a group of friends will be spending the weekend in Cardiff, staying in a hotel overnight on Saturday.

"We're going to make a weekend of it and have a really good time," he said.

Assistant manager of the Bar Imporium pub in St Mary's Street, Cardiff, Justin Hennessy, said: "We will be getting in extra staff for the weekend and we have a big screen here, so any that don't get in can come and watch it here. It should be a fun weekend, because Cardiff City are playing at home too."

Andy Gardiner, assistant manager of Dempsey's Irish Bar in Castle Street, Cardiff, said: "We will be getting plastic glasses out instead of glass ones, but other than that we are used to weekends like this one now.

"Since the Millennium Stadium was built we have really got into the swing of it.

"The police segregate fans here into two sides of the town, so whichever side we get, I'm sure they will be very friendly. We are used to these big events now. After all, we have just had the Six Nations Rugby here."