GRIMSBY TOWN have pulled out of this evening's Errea South West Challenge Cup final against Luton Town, blaming fears of crowd trouble.

The two sides were unable to agree a kick-off time after the Mariners requested a 3pm start instead of the scheduled 6pm.

A statement on Grimsby's official website says police, reacting to "potential conflict with some Luton Town supporters", had "highly recommended that the game kick off at 3pm" when there could be officers present at the Sports Ground.

But despite both managers agreeing, Grimsby claim more senior figures at Luton would not agree to a change.

Belgian club Royal Racing FC Montegnee will take Grimsby's place in the final, meeting Luton in Bideford at 6pm.

Grimsby's main concern appears to be the reaction of some Luton fans toward their manager, Mike Newell.

He was in charge of Luton from the summer of 2003 to March 2007 but left on bad terms, sacked for criticising the board for not investing enough money in the club as they battled relegation from the Championship.

The Grimsby statement said: "It is with deep regret that Town have withdrawn from the Errea South West Challenge Cup final against Luton due to not being able to reach agreement on the kick-off time.

"Unfortunately Grimsby Town and Luton Town could not reach joint agreement to play the game at a time advised by the local constabulary.

"The police were taking into account intelligence and potential conflict with some Luton Town supporters which presented a real risk in the opinion of our club, event organisers and the police.

"Stewards had been deployed at the Rushden and Diamonds game (yesterday's semi-final which Grimsby won 4-1) to keep a keen eye on Luton supporters who were clearly intent on getting at Mike Newell.

"To this extent there became a real concern when it was clear that the Mariners were going to be in Sunday's final against Luton Town.

"It was important that safety at the game be a priority, and with limited stewarding capacity, our club had to ensure that safety for all could be maintained in accordance with police advice, their suggested availability and their advised 3pm kick-off time.

"Sadly Luton Town officials did not see the risk as being significant. Although both managers seemed agreeable to an earlier kick-off, Luton Town's hierarchy insisted on the scheduled 6pm kick-off time.

"We understand this decision is disappointing to travelling fans from both teams but in the interest of safety, in conjunction with resources available, our club is left with no alternative but to withdraw from the competition."

Newell was thought to be concerned at a schedule that would leave Grimsby playing five games in five days, they are due to face Scunthorpe United tomorrow and Leeds United on Tuesday.

However, the Mariners insist that was not behind the decision to withdraw.

The statement added: "The club wish to make it absolutely clear that our club's withdrawal from the competition is based solely on grounds of safety.

"Grimsby Town Football Club had two genuine concerns. The escalation of pointed vocal friction by Luton fans at the Yeovil Town game (in Torrington on Friday night) and again at (the Rushden) game as witnessed by many.

"The second was to help ensure fresh legs available for our important fixture scheduled for Monday night's fixture against Scunthorpe Town. This concern was negated by the concession to have 10 subs and did not impinge on the decision to withdraw from the competition."

Grimsby chairman John Fenty said: "We would like to thank the organisers for what has been a well-organised tournament, they like ourselves are very disappointed.

"As ever our travelling fans have been excellent and superbly behaved and we are sorry to have let them down by what we believe to be very responsible and unavoidable decisions. They are a true credit to our club."

Luton have made no comment on Grimsby's decision to pull out.

The move leaves the bizarre situation of Royal Racing being parachuted into the final of a tournament in which they have lost two games without scoring a goal.

The club from the lowest professional league in Belgium, which takes on young players from around the world and gives them chance to study for a business degree, have remained in North Devon since their exit from the competition on Wednesday.

They were beaten 5-0 by Yeovil and 1-0 by Grimsby in their two Group B matches.

It is the second time tournament organisers have been hit by a high-profile withdrawal. Last year a long injury list saw Crystal Palace pull out after reaching the semi-finals.

The South West Challenge Cup final kicks off at 6pm and you can follow the action at www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk with our live blog from the Sports Ground.