HARDY Take That fans from across Europe braved torrential downpours yesterday to make sure they are first through the doors of Sunderland’s Stadium of Light for the band’s tour-opening concert tonight.

Dedicated women camped out overnight ahead of the opening night of the band’s Progress tour, the band’s first since the return of Robbie Williams.

By teatime, there were about 65 people who had taken tents, sleeping bags, flasks of hot drinks and an unshakeable devotion to protect them from the elements.

Many hoped to hear their idols doing sound checks and maybe get a sneak preview of the show at the dress rehearsal.

Superfan Tanya Kayne, 29, from Winlaton, Gateshead, who made headlines when she became the first in the queue for tickets to see the band when they first played the Wearside venue in 2009, was the first one there again.

The mother-of-three, whose husband took time off work to look after their young family, said: “I wouldn’t say seeing them was life or death, but it feels like that at the time. It is just magic.”

Two Spanish women, who are attending all four Sunderland gigs, three in Manchester and two in Germany, brought their flights forward to make sure they did not miss any of the shows due to the fallout from the volcanic ash cloud in Iceland.

Eve Mendez, 31, and Su Castaneda, 29, have spent more than £1,000 on following Take That on tour this year.

Ms Mendez said: “I have loved the boys since I was 14. This like a hobby for us.

“Other people spend their money on holidays. We go and see Take That.”

The Manchester five-piece’s tour is at the stadium for four night s– tonight, tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday – before moving around the country and to Europe.

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome Take That back to Sunderland and the excitement in the city is just fantastic.

“The preparation is over, and everyone just can’t wait now to see the band back at the Stadium of Light.

“Not even the rain can dampen people’s spirits, and we have people queuing up outside the stadium to get in first.

“That just shows you how much these concerts mean to Sunderland.”

Concert goers have been advised to plan their trip before leaving to make sure they get there and back safely.

Transport bosses have laid on extra Metro trains and buses to cope with the 200,000 people who are expected to see the shows.

Extra officers are also on patrol around the ground to help manage the large crowds of excited fans.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Thousands of people will be coming into the city to attend the concert and we are reminding them it ‘only takes a minute’ for disorder to get out hand.”