Ticketless City fans warned off cup tie

Fans without tickets for the FA cup game between Notts County and Manchester City are being advised by police not to travel to Meadow Lane.

The all-ticket game, which kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, is completely sold out.

Manchester City has sold their 4,750 ticket allocation and there are no tickets left for home fans.

Blues supporters arriving by coach will be dropped off at Nottingham Forest’s car park, which is a 10-minute walk from Meadow Lane. Anyone wanting a drink is advised to use The Pitch Diner, which is located at side of Forest’s Trent Stand.

Those City fans arriving by train are advised to use the Navigation Inn, Wilford Road, which is in the city centre, opposite the Nottingham Post building.

Visiting supporters will be greeted by Nottinghamshire Police Fan Liaison Officers, who will be mingling with fans at drop off points and in some of the local drinking holes.

Superintendent Mark Holland, who is police commander for the game, said: “There will be a proportionate police presence to allow fans with tickets to travel to and from the ground safely and enjoy the game.

“Any fans that have not got a ticket should simply not travel to the match, and my officers and police spotters from Manchester will concentrate their efforts on identifying anyone travelling without a ticket.

“Fan Liaison Officers and match day stewards will also meet away fans and make sure they know how to get to the ground.

“We will be going into the pubs and having a friendly chat with them about their team and the day’s match. We hope by mingling with the fans they understand we are on their side and want to police the match for the overwhelming majority of supporters who want an exciting and safe day out.”

All pubs and bars within in the Nottingham area are working with the police to monitor group behaviour.

Nottinghamshire Police will seek to prosecute any supporter, or obtain a banning order against any fan caught committing a football-related offence.