PLANS for Middlesbrough to parade the Uefa Cup through the town next week -should the Teessiders win the competition - have been scheduled for the same day that North-East rivals Newcastle salute one of their greatest ever players.

If Steve McClaren marks his final game in charge of the club before taking over at England by lifting a prize second only to the European Cup, those further up the A19 might cheekily suggest there are plans afoot to steal some of the limelight away from their own celebrations in honour of Alan Shearer.

The legendary Magpies No 9 has hung up his boots after scoring a record 206 goals for the club.

On Thursday, he will be feted in front of more than 50,000 fans at a sell-out testimonial against Scottish champions Celtic at St James' Park, from 7.45pm.

That game will come 24 hours after Middlesbrough take on Seville in the biggest game in the club's history, in Eindhoven, Holland.

The clash of dates is purely coincidental, but should they succeed in their quest, more than 300 officers, supported by special constables, community support officers and street wardens, will be on duty on Thursday to oversee a victory parade.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, Cleveland Police's head of crime and operations, masterminded Boro's Carling Cup victory parade in 2004, when more than 100,000 fans lined the streets of Middlesbrough.

He said: "We are all hoping that the Boro can lift this trophy, which will be the crowning glory of a magnificent season. The club have told us a celebratory parade will only go ahead if they do win on Wednesday night, so obviously we are beginning to make arrangements now.

"Tens of thousands of people turned out when the team won the Carling Cup two years ago. Should they be victorious in Holland, we expect the crowds to be even bigger.

"The team will parade the cup in an open-topped bus, but the route and the timing of the event have yet to be finalised."

* Boro fans travelling to the final have been urged to ensure they remember the game for the right reasons.

Superintendent Steve Swales, District Commander for Middlesbrough, said he was aware many fans would travel without tickets with the aim of soaking up the atmosphere in and around the area.

He said: "I know this is a match true Middlesbrough fans will want to remember for the rest of their lives.

"I say to them, let it be the one that you remember for all the right reasons and allow us to bring home the cup with pride."