A SAINTS-mad mother is preparing to undertake a 2,000-mile international round trip in just one day after discovering her summer holiday clashed with Saints' first appearance in the FA Cup final for 27 years.

Alison Fripp, 37, booked to spend two weeks in Menorca with her husband and three young children seven months ago when she underestimated the team's chances of going all the way to the final.

But season ticket holder Alison, of Linden Close, Waltham Chase, decided distance would not defeat her and will now go on her holidays as planned, return to Cardiff to watch Saints play on Saturday and then return to Menorca to rejoin her family.

"I am going on holiday the day before the final to help my husband to get our three kids settled in. I will fly back to Gatwick that evening and then go to Cardiff to watch the final on the Saturday. I'll be back on a plane on Sunday lunchtime to fly back to Menorca for the rest of my holiday. It better be worthwhile," said the claims manager.

"I'm going to be tired but I've never been to an FA Cup final before and I didn't want to miss it. The funny thing is we never normally go on holiday in May but we decided to this year to coincide with my mum's holiday because she looks after our children.

"I didn't even imagine that Saints would get to the final because we haven't been there for 27 years. When I realised the dates were going to clash I had mixed feelings about it because it all hinged on if I could find a cheap flight to get back. I found one on the Internet fairly easily for £154 which I think is reasonable.

"Lots of people have said I'm mad and asked why I don't just watch it on TV but it's the chance of a lifetime because I've been a Saints fan for many years.''

FOLLOW THE SAINTS WITH THE DAILY ECHO: FULL FINAL COVERAGE AND SPECIAL CUP SUPPLEMENT ON MONDAY