Fans will be allowed to Gillingham vs Swindon match this Saturday
Gillingham fans will be allowed to watch the
club's match with Swindon this Saturday after a row with
police was resolved.
A prohibition notice was issued by Medway
Council last week because of a dispute over policing costs.
Both clubs have been selling tickets for the game as talks
between Gillingham FC and Kent Police have been ongoing.
Kent Police raised concerns over safety because of a long
running rivalry between the two sides which dates back to the late
1970s.
The away fans are likely to be in a
celebratory mood, as their team could secure promotion to League
One.
Cllr Mike O’Brien, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for
community safety, said: "We are pleased to say that Kent Police
have informed us that the dispute over costs of policing at the
Gillingham FC v Swindon Town match this Saturday have been
resolved and the required numbers of police officers needed will be
in the ground on the day.
"Last week, Medway Council was left with no option but to issue
a prohibition notice stating that fans could not attend the match
until steps were taken to resolve this. We did this at the time
following advice from Kent Police that they have specific
intelligence concerning the match and its fans.
"The council will now contact the club and the police to clarify
that this order allows for the match to go ahead this Saturday with
fans from both sides attending as long as there are sufficient
police in the grounds.
"We are pleased that the police and the club have reached a
resolution as this is good news for supporters from both sides and
means they will be able to attend and watch the game with enough
police there to make sure it is safe for all.
"I hope it will be a good, exciting match, and as a Gillingham
fan I shall, of course, be keeping my fingers crossed for a home
team win."
A short statement from Gillingham FC confirmed the issues with
the police have now been resolved.
It added: "The game will go ahead as planned."
Meanwhile, Gillingham FC’s commercial director
has left Priestfield after less than a year in the job.
Steve Lowe departed yesterday, according to a
source close to the club. He was appointed last October.
A Gills spokesman refused to comment.
18/04/12
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