STADIUM chiefs have explained why fans had to be locked out of Poole’s speedway final on Monday night.

Scores of fans were unable to get into Poole Stadium to watch the thrilling climax to the Elite League season between the Pirates and the Coventry Bees.

The Wimborne Road capacity was reached long before the 7.30pm start and some holding sponsors’ tickets could not even squeeze in.

One punter described the situation outside the ground as “a disorganised mess”.

Shaun Spencer-Perkins, stadium manager at Wimborne Road, said fans were urged to turn up early and were only locked out once the 3,900 capacity had been reached.

He said: “Some people were unlucky and it is not something we like to do.

“We have to act in the interests and safety of all our guests.”

Mr Spencer-Perkins admitted the “unprecedented numbers” of Coventry fans attending had caught them by surprise.

Posting on the Daily Echo website, Ianbthomson, who said he had a ticket in hand, said the situation had been a “fiasco”.

“When we arrived we were told they were not letting any more people in,” he said.

Matt Ford, promoter of Poole Speedway, said there were no advance ticket sales for Monday’s meeting and entry was on a first come, first served basis.

He said sponsors were given blocks of tickets to use over the course of a season but didn’t guarantee entry on busy nights such as Monday.

“Unfortunately it seems people have tried to use their ticket on our busiest night for 10 years,” said Mr Ford.

The Poole promoter stressed season ticket holders would never have a problem getting in, no matter how busy the meeting.

Both the speedway team and the stadium said they may revisit the idea of pre-ticket sales for future big events.

“It has left us disappointed as you don’t like to turn anyone away from big sporting events” added Mr Ford.