FIFTY Reds fans were stranded at Athens after a blunder apparently left them holding boarding cards for the official Liverpool FC flight. The group of supporters were due to fly back at 2am yesterday on BMI flight BD7962. But when they left John Lennon Airport on Wednesday morning, their return boarding cards were wrongly printed BD7964, the same as the official club flight for players and staff. The error was not realised until they had spent the night sleeping on a concrete floor at Athens airport, long after their real flight had left for Liverpool. They were not allowed to board the official club flight and instead found themselves stuck at the airport. Last night, the stranded party were put up in a hotel and were told by airline officials that they would be put on a new flight to Heathrow today, followed by a connection to Manchester and a coach trip to Liverpool. Liverpool film producer Colin McKeown was one of the passengers stuck in Athens. He said: “When we checked in at Liverpool, we were given boarding cards for the outward and return flights, because it was going to be so busy at Athens. “We were due to fly back at 2am, but were told at the airport our flight did not leave until 10am. We assumed it was delayed. “But when it was time to board, it turned out BD7964 was the club flight, the wrong number had been printed on the card.” Thomas Warren and Chris Edwards-Bailey, both 16, were due to take GCSE exams today. Chris, from Eccleston Park, near St Helens, said: “I thought I’d be home within six hours.” Liverpool fan Dave Wilson, 32, of Crewe, is due to marry Emma Bower on Saturday, but fears he will not be back in time. A JLA spokesman said responsibility for printing boarding cards lies with the handler employed by BMI to organise passengers. A BMI spokesman said: “The BMI charter team was made aware of the situation only after the passengers had already departed. BMI immediately informed the travel company Global Sport to ensure all passengers were advised of the correct return travel details. “Despite the aircraft waiting at Athens, a small number of passengers did not make the flight. Those passengers have been given refreshments and efforts are being made to source alternative flights.” | 
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