FANS of boy band McFly were today coming to terms with the fact that they will not be playing in Ipswich later this month.The group's concert, scheduled for July 29, has been cancelled after promoter John Hessenthaler Productions went into administration last month.

FANS of boy band McFly were today coming to terms with the fact that they will not be playing in Ipswich later this month.

The group's concert, scheduled for July 29, has been cancelled after promoter John Hessenthaler Productions went into administration last month.

More than 3,000 ticket-holders will be unlikely to get their money back - but Ipswich Town has stepped in and offered to swap their concert tickets for admission to the club's pre-season friendly with Atletico Madrid on the same night.

People who bought tickets before John Hessenthaler productions went into administration on June 20 will be unable to get much, if any, of their money back - unless they paid through credit card in which case they should contact that company for a refund.

Those who bought tickets after June 20 should be able to get their money back - although Steven Law from administrators Ensors felt many would be tempted by the offer from the football club.

ITFC chief executive Derek Bowden said the match would have a "McFly theme" and the club was in touch with the band to see if they could make a gesture to disappointed fans.

Mr Law had said last week that the McFly show could only go ahead if businesses in the town came up with £30,000 sponsorship by last Friday.

Yesterday he announced there had been no sponsorship offers so the show was cancelled.

He said: "We approached sever of the larger companies in the area and unfortunately they could not justify the outlay."

A spokesman for the band's record label, Island, said: "The administrator will now be writing to all ticket holders to explain the procedure for claiming back their money.

"McFly would like to apologise to all ticket holders for a situation which is totally out of their control."