The boss of a train company warned that Harrow will be swarming with football fans today as a football final gets underway.

Gates at Wembley Stadium will open at 1pm today when Bristol City face Walsall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final.

Terry Oliver, head of West Coast Services at train operator London Midland said he was forced to tell fans to catch services to Harrow & Wealdstone station because of platform restrictions at Wembley.

He said: “Our trains calling at Harrow & Wealdstone station will be eight to 12 carriages long. We recommend that fans use these services as they will be less crowded.

“Trains departing from Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall for Birmingham on Sunday morning will also be busy. Our advice is to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for the journey in case they need to wait for the next service.”

Only a small number of London Midland trains from Birmingham New Street will call directly at Wembley - and they will only be four carriages long because of platform restrictions.

Fans are being advised to travel to Harrow & Wealdstone and continue their journey using London Underground and London Overground trains.

After the match, a queuing system will be in place at Wembley for four trains direct to Birmingham New Street but fans are being advised to make their way back to Harrow & Wealdstone and catch a train from there back to the Midlands.