A devoted Fleet fan who paid £100 to watch his team get promoted was overwhelmed when he got all the money back.

Duane Kimpton was unable to buy a £12 ticket for Saturday's National League South play-off final against Chelmsford because he was working when they went on sale.

So the father of four issued a plea via Facebook for anyone who was selling a spare ticket to get in touch, revealing he would pay up to £100 to see the team he has supported for 11 years.

The 30-year-old maintenance worker said: "I was desperate to see the match but I couldn't get off work to get a ticket. I try to go to every home match and most away ones.

"It was obviously a lot better atmosphere than a normal game. It was a brilliant day and worth £100."

But Mr Kimpton, of Kings Farm, Gravesend, was in for a surprise.

Friends and fans at the Edinburgh Castle pub in Northfleet High Street held a whip around and presented him with £45 towards the price of his ticket while staff and supporters in Ebbsfleet United FC's club shop added another £55, meaning he actually watched the match for free.

He said: "I wasn't expecting anything like that. On Friday I spent £100 and by full-time I had the money back.

"My friends were happy I got a ticket but disappointed someone would ask me to pay £100 for a football match. I spoke to some of the players afterwards and they thought I was mad!"

Mr Kimpton has four girls and has taken the oldest, aged six, to half a dozen games this season.

He added: "She comes with me but she's more into ballerinas. I've still got hope for the other three though."