Bristol City and Rovers fans 'should show sporting spirit'

The match is being played as a testimonial to City's Louis Carey

Police are urging football fans heading for Saturday's derby match between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers to turn it into a great sporting occasion.

The all-ticket match is due to take place at City's Ashton Gate stadium and is the first time the clubs have met since 2007.

Ch Supt Andy Francis said the recent Euro 2012 matches had seen little trouble in the city.

The game is all ticket and none will be available on the day.

The match between the arch rivals is being played as a testimonial to City defender, Louis Carey, ahead of football season opening in two weeks' time.

"We want everyone to enjoy the atmosphere of the first derby game in Bristol since 2007. It is an opportunity to help create a great sporting spectacle for the city of Bristol," Ch Supt Francis said.

"The Euro 2012 competition produced no significant incidents in Avon and Somerset and only a handful of arrests for low-level public order offences. We would like to see this sporting spirit extended for the testimonial game.

"We want to minimise disruption to members of the public, local businesses and those visiting the city. Therefore, we will operate a zero-tolerance approach to the game and robustly tackle any football-related anti-social behaviour or violence," he added.

The last derby game took place on 27 February 2007 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy which Rovers won 1-0.

Rickie Lambert scored the only goal of the game which was watched by 11,530 people.