FURIOUS fans claimed they were ripped-off after a host of stars failed to show up for a celebrity Football extravaganza.

The five-a-side competition was part of the Pop 4 Weymouth event held at the Wessex Stadium over the weekend.

But despite being promised a line-up of soap stars, page 3 girls, former international footballers and pop stars, fans said they were subjected to a procession of unrecognisable faces.

And one celebrity who did show - You've Been Framed presenter Jonathon Wilkes - was kicked out of the tournament for head-butting an opponent.

Irate fans called the Echo and posted messages on Weymouth FC's website complaining that promised celebrities never appeared and that food and drink prices at the event were too high.

Disgruntled fan Matt Churchouse said: "It is very rare that I am critical of Weymouth Football Club, but today was a complete sham.

"The promised line up was not there, getting in was chaos and everything about the day was a farce. I have paid out £265 on tickets alone and I still get charged £2 for a bottle of coke."

Mark Johnstone, from Dorchester, said: "I took my three children as they are huge Liverpool fans and they really wanted to see the famous players that just this week Ian Ridley, the chairman, said would be coming.

"But I didn't recognise a single person except the bloke from You've Been Framed, who was on his way out after being sent off."

Nicola Francis, from Littlemoor, said: "It was a complete sham with a few singers that were playing in the Sunday concert, a whole load of nobodies and none of the stars that were expected.

"I asked for my money back but I was told I couldn't have it. Weymouth Football Club should be ashamed of themselves for misleading so many people."

Weymouth FC's website was also inundated with messages, from people complaining about the line-up and prices being charged at the event.

One fan threatened to withdraw his sponsorship of the club and another wrote: "I also feel sorry for everyone who bought tickets and was let down. Who do these people think they are? If I didn't meet the terms of my contract, I would be sacked."

Last week Weymouth chairman Ian Ridley told the Echo that ex-England captain Bryan Robson was due to play at the event, alongside Liverpool legends Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Alan Kennedy and Phil Neal.

Also down to appear were Royle Family star Ralf Little, EastEnders' Michael Greco, Brookside's Jennifer Ellison and models Jordan and Jodie Marsh. But not one turned up at the event and many fans walked out after a few matches.

Mr Ridley said: "There were 2,500 people who left very happy and enjoyed a really good day. About 200 celebrities were booked up and 160 turned up. Unfortunately there were one or two that had indicated that they would be taking part and they did not make it in the end which was a shame but all that we provided was good value for £10.

"In many cases it only cost £5 because it came with concert tickets. We have to see this in the context of the whole weekend."

Children playing matches that day were also left disappointed. Weymouth under-10s and under-12s girls' teams staged a sit-in protest on the pitch when organisers cancelled their matches but allowed the boys to play.

Manager Mark Rogers said: "We arrived at 10am and by midday we still hadn't played, then we were told our games were cancelled.

"The girls sat down and started singing 'we shall not be moved' and the organisers relented but we only got to play two five-minute games at 3pm. The girls are quite disappointed - there's no such thing as ladies first in football - but the celebrities have been really nice."

Complaints were also raised about the celebrity turnout and organisation of the Celebrity Parties at Banus nightclub. Club owner Max Grayson said: "We were asked to provide a venue for the parties but we had nothing to do with the organisation and who turned up.

"The celebrities did turn up late but then, we are a nightclub. I think the majority of people there had a really good time."

Yesterday's pop concert went down better with fans but organisers conceded that crowds were disappointing.

Football club chief executive Martyn Harrison said he was satisfied with the weekend despite disappointing ticket sales.

He said: "This is the first time anything like this has happened in Weymouth. People seem to have spent the last four weeks trying to figure out if it's for real.

"I'm satisfied with the number we've got, but I'm not overjoyed."

He said the club had not been financially affected by the lack of crowds.

He said: "The day hasn't made money but the sponsorship has covered it for the club and we haven't used club money.

"This is good for Weymouth, good for the football club and sponsorship has carried us through. I hope everyone who came had a good time.

"We have got to try these things. One thing is for sure - now I'm running Weymouth FC we're going to try lots of things. We're not just going to sit around and do nothing. We need to move with the times.

"In the future we will work with the Round Table and the council so that we can have a combined do.

"One mistake we have made with this is putting it on a Sunday - Saturday is change over day for tourists in the town.

"Perhaps we should have had less bands and put it on a day of the week."

Many people in the crowd said they had enjoyed themselves but there were complaints about the cost of the day.

Teenagers Hayley Harrison and Sarah Freeburn from Weymouth said that it was the best thing that had happened in Weymouth in years.

Sarah, 14, said: " It was a great line-up of people who are in the charts. Some people were complaining but I think it was great.

Hayley, 14, added: "I hope they do it again because it was a brilliant day out. It was absolutely fantastic."

Meanwhile, messages on the club's website this morning were largely supportive of the concert.

However, Sue Thomas, from Weymouth said: "It is very expensive to bring a family here for the day and with drinks at £1.50 or £2 it soon adds up."

Neil Sheppard and his family left the concert at 3pm - five hours before the end, despite paying £25 each for their weekend tickets.

Mr Sheppard, from Bristol, said: "It's an absolute rip off. Car parking is £5 and you can't take drinks or food in because they say people will use them as missiles, but then they're selling them at these rip off prices.

"The concert itself is alright, but you pay a lot for a ticket. With a family of four it's £100 before you even start and all the extras are such a rip off."