A ROW over policing costs could see Town’s promotion celebrations put on ice.

Swindon’s penultimate away game, at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, is at risk of being played behind closed doors because of a dispute between Kent Police and Gillingham FC.

Medway Council has slapped a prohibition notice on the April 21 fixture, preventing supporters from attending.

The order has been made by the council, who are the licensing authority, who have ‘serious concerns’ about public safety.

If negotiations between the police and the club fail, Swindon, who are seven points clear in League Two, could secure the league title in front of an empty stadium.

The news has upset Town fans who are relying on winning the league after their disappointment in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley.

Nigel Bennett, spokesman for Swindon Town Supporters Club, said: “This is a terribly disappointing situation for fans of Swindon, and no doubt Gillingham as well.

Liam Brooks, 27, of the town centre, said: “It is an exciting time for Swindon at the moment and who knows that could be the game that Swindon go up.

“If Swindon go up and fans aren’t allowed in the ground the police will have even more on their hands.”

And Iain Calter, 56, of Redhouse, said: “It sounds like neither side want to foot the bill, but I am sure some agreement will be made.

“It is an important game for both clubs.

“The game could be particularly crucial for Swindon due to the proximity of promotion and the championship and it would be a sad day if either were achieved without a Swindon fan in the ground due to the dispute of other parties.”

Swindon Town said no match tickets had been sold yet, but fans could have already arranged their own travel.

In a statement issued by Medway council, Mike O’Brien, cabinet member for community safety and customer contact, said: “Due to a dispute between Gillingham FC and Kent Police about the costs and number of police officers needed at Priestfield Stadium for the match against Swindon Town, we have unfortunately been left with no alternative but to issue a prohibition notice on the game preventing supporters from attending.

“We have done this following advice from Kent Police that they have specific intelligence concerning the match and its fans.

“We are satisfied that the intelligence provided shows the police are clearly right to have serious concerns about public order at the ground and that the risk is so serious for fans that, until steps have been taken to reduce it to a reasonable level through agreeing adequate policing levels, spectators will be prohibited from attending the match.

“As the licensing authority, it is our responsibility to ensure football matches are safe for all attending the match.

“We fully sympathise with all the fans that want to watch this match and we sincerely hope that Gillingham FC and the police can get together urgently to resolve this matter and enable the match to go ahead with supporters from both clubs able to watch an exciting football match in a safe environment.”

Chief Superintendent Alasdair Hope, of Kent Police, said: “The safety of all fans attending this football match is our main priority and we are not prepared for their safety to be compromised.

“The provision of an appropriate number of police officers inside the stadium is essential, and the cost of this must be met by Gillingham FC.”