AFC Telford to play in empty stadium against Kettering

AFC Telford United will play tomorrow's match at Kettering in an empty stadium – if it survives a pitch inspection this afternoon.

Police in Northamptonshire have refused to provide a presence for the Blue Square Premier clash after revealing debt-ridden Kettering was in arrears with payments. Safety bosses have ordered the game to be played behind closed doors.

A pitch inspection is due to take place at 3pm. But if the match is on, AFC Telford fans have been advised not to travel.

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Chairman Lee Carter said: "Its a remarkable situation, unprecedented in my view. In all my years of being involved with football I can never remember a situation like this where a match has had to be played behind closed doors.

Superintendent Sean Bell, of Northamptonshire Police, said Kettering had missed successive payment deadlines for tomorrow's fixture.

As a result police told the club there would no police presence at the ground and made a request to remove the club's safety certificate for the game, effectively preventing fans attending.