EDL march delays AFC Telford game

AFC Telford's eagerly-awaited return to the top flight of non-league football was today put back – to avoid a clash with a controversial march through the town by the English Defence League.

The opening fixture of the club's Blue Square Bet Premier campaign against Luton will now kick off at 7.45pm on August 13, chairman Lee Carter has confirmed today.

The original 3pm time would have clashed with a planned protest march through the centre of Wellington by the EDL, near Telford's New Bucks Head stadium.

Bosses originally moved the game to noon before confirming the unusual Saturday evening kick-off.

In a further bid to avoid trouble, Luton Town have told away fans they will need to purchase a receipt from the Luton Town ticket office for the match.

That will then have to be exchanged for a match ticket at a rendezvous point – Shifnal Service Station on junction 4 of the M54 – at 6pm on the day of the match.

The march is believed to be taking place some time between 1pm and 4pm.

A spokesman for AFC Telford United said: "We would urge supporters of both clubs to attend the game in numbers and get behind what should be a fantastic occasion."