SWINDON is today bracing itself as 14,000 football fans are expected to swamp the town centre.

But police are confident they can cope with the numbers ahead of Swindon Town's clash with Leeds United.

By late yesterday, more than 13,000 tickets had been sold for the game - which was expected to be the biggest since Town's clash with Walsall last May.

"This game will be appropriately policed," said PC James Neighbour, the football liaison officer for Wiltshire Police.

"This is a big game, there is no doubt about that and, because there will be a lot of people about, we will be carefully policing to ensure there will be no disorder.

"There's no history of problems between Leeds and Swindon fans.

"Leeds supporters have had a history of disorder in the past - but that dates back to the 1970s and 1980s.

"The issue here is that Leeds is a big club and will be bringing 3,000 or more fans to the game.

"Also, because Leeds is a big club, with fans coming from different places, their fans may not travel to Swindon in the way other clubs do."

He confirmed that the force would be working with British Transport Police, who police the rail network, but would not reveal much more detail about the planned police operation.

"We expect that most Leeds fans will leave the town once the game is over. But there will be a visible police presence," said PC Neighbour.

"I am more than happy that this will be a great day for people to watch their team, create some noise and have a great day out."

Pubs are on high alert as the big match gears up to kick-off.

Many will use plastic cups rather than glasses and have security doormen outside venues across the town.

Sarah Simpson, the full-time duty manager for Yates, in Bridge Street, said: "We will not allow football groups in.

"It is only for families and couples.

"The manager will be on the door to make sure this happens.

"We have been contacted by the police and advised that trouble may or may not happen.

"We will use plastic glasses as a precaution.

"I know that Broadwalk will only allow Leeds fans and The Flag will only allow Swindon fans."

The Merlin, in Drove Road, will be open for business as normal.

But the Queens Tap, in Station Road, is closed when Swindon Town play at the County Ground on match days.

Rumours have surfaced that fans from neighbouring towns and cities will meet in Swindon to fight Leeds United fans.

However, police say their intelligence does not back this up.

Swindon Town Centre manager Bernie Maguire said he hoped that the visit from Leeds supporters would be a peaceful one.

"I'm glad that Swindon Town will be having their best attendances of the season," he said.

"The old days of crowd violence seem to have dimmed and I'm hoping the Leeds fans have a good time down here.

"It's difficult to guess what the result will be."