FOOTBALL fans have been criticised after parking illegally for a match.

Around 75 cars were ticketed during Colchester United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.

Despite being warned all parking spaces had been taken, many fans drove to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Council wardens pounced on the supporters after they ignored signs and left their vehicles in the surrounding roads.

Colchester United said it put a warning on its website two weeks before explaining all parking spaces had been booked.

They also sent out an email on Friday morning to all fans who had bought tickets and supplied an email address that all spaces were full.

Matt Hudson, spokesman for Colchester United, said: “We did as much as possible to warn people and I know Spurs had a notice on their website too.

“The shuttle bus was running and we had between 12 and 15 buses that night.

“Unfortunately you are always going to get first timers who haven’t been before.

“We couldn’t really do much more.”

Fans have been criticised and told they only have themselves to blame.

U’s fan Tim Cloherty, of Colchester, said: “If people don’t read the signs leading up to the stadium which clearly states “no parking” then they are liable to be penalised.

“We all like to try our luck at times but rules are rules.” Ray Young, 37, of Brightlingsea, said he did not see the warning when he was buying his tickets on Wednesday or received one after.

He said: “It was my first time there. There was nothing that told me it was chocca block already.

“If I knew there was no parking I wouldn’t have had a problem, I would have just parked at my mates in Highwoods and walked."