GAZETTE & HERALD: BLUEBIRDS' drummer Tony Keen was back with a bang at the Wiltshire Premier Shield final on Monday after being told he was not banned from the beat at matches.

The 55-year-old, of Park Lane, Chippenham, claimed he had been told he was not allowed to play the drum at matches because the noise annoyed the neighbouring sports club.

But Chippenham Town FC club secretary Chris Blake said the club had not received any complaint about the drumming and Mr Keen was back on the terraces with his drum for the Bluebirds' 2-0 win over Swindon Town on Monday.

Mr Keen said: "Obviously it was a misunderstanding and I spoke to Chris and he said there was no ban.

"I was told when I came into the ground recently that I couldn't play the drum. Obviously that was incorrect. I am pleased it has been sorted out now because I don't want to upset people at the club."

Mr Blake confirmed the only complaints made about noise coming from club in the past had been to do with the public address system.

"The drum was never an issue. The only noise issue was the Tannoy," said Blake. "For my part the sports club have never complained about anything to do with noise.

"North Wiltshire District Council notified us about the Tannoy problem. They monitored two games and asked us to turn it down as a result. I have not heard from them since."

Mr Blake said Mr Keen was welcome to take his drum to matches adding that he was pleased to see him with it on Monday night.

"I was gutted when I heard what had been said about the drum being banned," he added. "I don't know how this misunderstanding happened but the drum contributes a lot to the atmosphere at our matches."

President of Chippenham Sports Club Bob Corke confirmed they had not complained about the drum.

"We have no problem with it as far as we are concerned," he said. "The football club are good neighbours and good friends to us."