TAKE SPAT

WHEN Take That first tried to make it in the early 90s performing in clubs around the UK wearing tight cycle shorts and very little else - not W everyone took to them.

- RICK FULTON

And they even claimed that they were spat on in Glasgow.

But the boyband - then a five-piece - gradually gathered support in Scotland and with a new album out this week and three already sold-out shows planned at Glasgow's OVO Hydro from May 3 to 5, those fans have stood by them.

For that, the band will Never Forget.

Mark Owen, 51, said: "We went to Glasgow on our first-ever tour of nightclubs. We'll always be grateful to our Scottish fans for their support." Now a trio, Mark, Gary Barlow, 52, and Howard Donald, 55, have another reason why they love coming to Scotland on tour - golf.

Howard revealed: "It's great to know you're on the doorstep to the beautiful Scottish countryside and I'll be taking my golf clubs with me, of course. If I get a day off, I'll be out there.

"I like catching up with friends especially when we go up north - so we always try to find a course to play, not on a show day though because it's seven miles around an 18-hole golf course and I need my legs for the gig at night.

The This Life Tour celebrates the band's ninth studio album, which is on course to become another No1 on Friday. It comes after a four-year break and six years since their last album, Wonderland.

While original band members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange aren't back this time round, the tour will be very different from their first visit to Glasgow as a band in 1991.

Previously Gary told the Record: "It was such a big deal for us. A young promoter called Gary took us around Glasgow's bars and clubs and worked us hard. He threw us on to bar tops, in to cages and on to dancefloors. It was great fun even though we got spat on and booed- and sometimes cheered.