FANS travelling to Basingstoke Town Football Club's FA Cup clash with Aldershot are being advised to go by coach.

The advice has come from Hampshire Constabulary as the club prepares for the derby with longstanding local rivals Aldershot FC in the second round of the famous football tournament on Saturday.

But with more than 1,000 Basingstoke fans expected to travel to the game, the police are concerned about the potential for traffic disruption in Aldershot town centre.

They have advised Basingstoke Town Supporters' Club to take fans to the match by coach.

Julie Jones, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the advice had been given to enable as many people as possible to attend the game at The Recreation Ground, which has a 2pm kick-off.

She said: "Aldershot town centre will be busy with Christmas shoppers, and as the football ground is also situated in the town centre, the number of parking spaces available will be limited."

Ian Davies, chairman of Basingstoke Town Supporters' Club, said fans should comply with the police advice.

He said: "The police have told us that they would like the majority of our supporters to travel to the game by coach, and we agree.

"There could be in excess of 1,000 Basingstoke fans going to the game and we are hoping that the majority will travel on one of our specially laid-on coaches.

"Fans will be able to travel safely and conveniently and will be whisked straight home after the match. Any money made will also be pumped straight back into the club."

The cost to travel to the game by coach is £8 for supporters' club members and £13 for non-members.

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