Alan Liptrott's life ban from Gillingham Football Club was suddenly lifted late on Thursday afternoon.

The club issued a statement announcing that the 60-year-old semi-retired telephone engineer and life-long supporter from Walderslade would be free to attend home games with immediate effect.

Mr Liptrott's ban came into force in July 2001 after he refused to sell club chairman Paul Scally his website domain name. Since then he has been forced to watch his favourites away from home.

He admitted: "The news came out of the blue and I'm absolutely stunned because I had given up hope of ever returning to Priestfield.

"It's been such a long time and to be honest the news hasn't sunk in."

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