'Banned' tickets go on sale

Tickets for Gillingham Football Club's next match against Swindon Town have gone on sale - despite fans being banned from going to the game.

Medway Council stepped after a row between the club and the police about how many officers would be needed at the game - and at what cost. It comes after a forty year rivalry between the two teams.

A prohibition notice was issued earlier this week preventing supporters from attending Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium in Kent next weekend for the League Two match.

But yesterday afternoon Swindon Town said Gillingham had sent them their full allocation of away tickets which went on sale at 8.30am today.

A statement on Swindon Town Football Club's website says:

"Whilst putting the tickets for the Gillingham game on sale, the club has a duty to alert fans to the fact that Gillingham and the local authorities have yet to reach a resolution over the issue of policing costs and it is unlikely that any resolve will be reached before next week.

"Whilst this situation remains ongoing there is a remote risk that the fixture may not proceed as scheduled.

"In this event, any fan purchasing a ticket will receive a full refund for the value of the ticket but the club cannot be held responsible for any advance travel costs that may be incurred.

"Swindon Town FC will endeavour to keep supporters fully informed of events as they become known."

WIth the background, and fans' reaction, Sarah Saunders has our report: