Football authorities tell fans to stay in the stands days after Leyton Orient supporters invade the Priestfield pitch at Gillingham to celebrate their League 2 promotion

Football supporters are being warned to keep off the pitch in the closing weeks of the season - just days after a fan invasion at Priestfield.

There was trouble up and down the country with incursions onto the playing fields last season, including at Gillingham, where trouble flared after the match against Rotherham United.

On Tuesday, there was a notably larger police presence at the ground, but it didn’t stop several hundred Leyton Orient fans invading the pitch to celebrate their promotion. On this occasion, there was no confrontation, as visiting players and their supporters celebrated together.

The pitch invasion came despite the heavy policing and numerous announcements pre-match and during the game. Gills chairman Brad Galinson wrote before the game about the need to stay off the pitch.

He wrote: “I appreciate emotions run high, but I kindly request you remain in your seats at all times.

“It is an arrestable offence and the club will work alongside the relevant authorities to take appropriate action if anyone is caught on the pitch.”

Gillingham fans refrained from entering the pitch after the win over Orient which confirmed their League 2 status.

On Thursday, English football authorities, including the FA and the EFL, released a statement asking fans to stay in the stands.

It said: “The passionate support of fans is a vital part of what makes football so special in this country. It is completely understandable that emotions run high, particularly at this stage of the season when there is so much to play for.

“However, we must remind supporters that in the interests of safety and wellbeing for everyone inside our stadiums, the pitch is for players, managers and officials, while the stands are there for fans to