Darwen Football Club's biggest match in years was almost called off because of parking problems, it has been revealed.

Club chairman Kevin Henry said supporters travelling to watch Darwen play FC United at the Anchor Ground on Saturday were due to park at Akzo Nobel, off Blackburn Road, which was opened for them on match days.

But club officials claim they were told fans would not be able to park on the land.

Mr Henry said: "We struggle at the Anchor Ground with gates and our home crowd is usually no more than 100 or so.

"So this game on Saturday was the big one and we had a gate of around 1,800 - the biggest game in Darwen for many, many years.

"We were told that we would not be allowed to use Akzo Nobel's car park.

"This caused a great dilemma with the authorities, the police and the stewarding officials from Ewood Park who had kindly agreed to steward the game for us.

"So much so that the game might not have been allowed to go ahead.

"Fortunately the police and the representatives from Ewood Park were able to salvage the situation.

"Through the kind offers of Darwen Vale School and a local community centre, last minute alternative parking facilities were able to be made."

Despite Darwen losing 1-0 to FC United, a team formed by breakaway supporters of Manchester United, the match was a boost for the town bringing in money for local businesses.

Mr Henry said: "This game brought a lot of business to the town and the Anchor pub sold out of everything and had to close early.

"It was, I believe, a similar situation in the town centre with all the retail businesses doing good trade."

Sgt Mark Thackeray-Scott, of Darwen Police, confirmed that the parking facility at Akzo Nobel had been withdrawn but did not know why.

He said: "There is parking for about 200 cars on the Akzo Nobel car park.

"Originally the plan was to use that car park and cone off the road leading to it.

"We still coned off the road to make sure there was good access to the ground.

"But when parking at Akzo Nobel was withdrawn we had to make arrangements with Darwen Vale High School and the Travelodge for supporters to use their car parks instead."

No one from the company was available to comment.