by Alan McGuinness

Talks are still ongoing in a Gills dispute over policing costs.

It comes after we revealed yesterday how fans could be banned from Gillingham’s match with Swindon Town on April 21 as part of the disagreement.

A statement just released by the club revealed chairman Paul Scally had been in talks with police.

It said: "Talks are ongoing, but the club will have no further comment."

Medway Council has issued a prohibition notice for the game because of a row between the Gills and Kent Police.

The rivalry between the two clubs stretches back to the late 1970s.

The same step was taken by the council in January, less than 48 hours before the club’s blockbuster FA Cup tie against Stoke City.

The row was resolved hours after the prohibition notice was issued.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, portfolio holder for community safety, said the council had been left with no alternative.

He said: "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.

"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."

Football clubs this week faced calls to pay for the costs of policing around a much wider area surrounding stadiums.

"the safety of all fans... is our main priority and we are not prepared for their safety to be compromised.
" – chief supt alasdair hope

Official police policy at the moment is to only charge for the costs within grounds and the area immediately around it.

Chief Superintendent Alasdair Hope 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.

"To expect Kent Police and the tax-payer to subsidise a commercial event is not acceptable.

"Commercial enterprises across the country pay for the policing of their events, including football matches, and no one is exempt.

'Medway Council as the Licensing Authority has served a prohibition notice on Gillingham FC and discussions are on-going between Kent Police and the club to address the safety issues."