We are two pensioners in our seventies with no sympathy for football hooliganism. But from our first-hand experience in Manchester this week we feel very sorry for the Rangers supporters who we think are being unfairly stigmatised for the misbehaviour of a tiny minority.

Why are we, who have no interest in football, troubling to write? Because we were treated with nothing but courtesy and kindness by the Rangers supporters with whom we travelled by train to and from Manchester this week.

We bought our railway tickets far in advance to attend a musical event in the city, unaware that the trains would be packed. So we hadn't booked seats. On both journeys, on May 14 and 15, Rangers supporters insisted on giving us their own reserved seats.

Although Piccadilly Gardens, where our hotel was located, was at the epicentre of the trouble that followed, we never felt unsafe or threatened as we made our way to and from our accommodation. On the streets we enjoyed the carnival atmosphere that prevailed for most of the time and we feel that Manchester had only itself to blame for the litter and urine of which it complains.

No skips were provided, and the provision of portable toilets was totally inadequate.

William and Judith Amos, Hacket Forge, Little Langdale, Cumbria.

What a sad day to be a Scot who was raised a Rangers supporter. Now living in Florida, I debated buying an airline ticket at the last minute to cheer on the team in Manchester. Finally opting to watch the game on my computer, I was impressed by the level of play and the sportsmanship, and even though the outcome was not the result I had hoped for, it was the right one.

Then sitting watching the news in Florida I saw kids who looked like they were in their early teens drinking heavily; I watched fellow Scots rampaging through the streets of downtown Manchester like animals; my friends who live there called me to tell me of the mess and destruction.

Yes, being a Rangers supporter is definitely in my blood but people must realise that fans not only represented the club when they went to Manchester, they also represented the city of Glasgow and Scotland to viewers around the world. Guess what? They failed miserably.

Hugh McKerlie, 3721 NE 15th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

What saddens me most about the problems that occurred in Manchester is the importance that many football fans will put on what was simply a game of football. There are tears from the fans when their team loses, and riots when they aren't able to watch the match. Why is it that people's happiness depends on the outcome of a sporting match?

All football fans, especially those who cause problems, should stop and put their lives in perspective for a minute. Recently, in China and Burma, the death toll from two natural disasters has reached hundreds of thousands.

While people there are fighting for their lives, we have people here fighting over a football match. While I agree that football is not the same without an enthusiastic crowd, they still need to remain sensible. Rugby matches have no segregation in the stands, and rarely do we hear of riots at matches.

I think football fans throughout Scotland need to re-evaluate how important the sport is, and begin to restore some pride in the Scottish people, so that Scotland can again be known as a nation of friendly and proud people.

Alistair Wallace, Terreglestown House, Dumfries.

What an opportunity missed. Of course Rangers fans are disappointed, but how good would they feel now if, at the end of the match, they had all risen to applaud both teams, saying thank you for an exciting match played without a yellow card. Their example would have been a credit to Glasgow and Scotland, noted by the millions of viewers in Russia, Europe and England.

A W Tait, Orchard Croft, Grimms Hill, Great Missenden, Bucks.