U18s another Game Off

[differentgame]

Just to add to the moans, tomorrows home tie in the Kent FA Cup v Thamesmead has also been called off. Following another thread, I can`t remember this many games being cancelled due to a water logged pitch in the past. Is it due to the relaying of the pitch or too much rain? Quack, quack, quack!

Must find an alternative for reserves & U18 before they forget why they go training.

Up the Gate

[Ressie fanclub]

Couldn't agree more, however i dont think Dane Park is an option.

The Emirates is looking good, maybe we can appeal to Arsenals better nature. At this rate the U18's will still be playing in August!!

What about Pfizers - nice ground and facilities?

 

Com'on u blues.

 

[seasidesteve]

down purely to cost cutting when laying the new pitch mate

[michael]

It is becoming a real problem.

 

As someone else posted on another thread-realistically, will we be able to play 5 home games for the first team over the next three weeks.

 

There is also supposedly a reserve game at HDP in the cup on saturday !!-will that be on ,and if not, when will that be played?

 

Then there are the backlog of fixtures for the reseves and U18's to catch up wth aswell.

 

The problem is that March and April are usually wet anyway and long range forecast is for a very wet spring.

 

This time, i can't really see a way out of this ?

It is now a real and serious problem.

 

For the first team, further postponements will lead to a serious fixture pile up and harm our promotion prospects,plus we will not play such good winning football on poor pitches.

The pitches will be made worse by U18 and reserve games, who also need and should play at HDP.

 

What happens if we cannot fulfill all the fixtures?

 

Maybe some U18 and reserve games will have to be sacrificed-but that seems so unfair on their players, and would probably lead to serious fines from their respective leagues.

 

I really can't see a solution here ?

 

Can anyone?

[Frankie100]

Can these U18 and reserves fixtures be played on the Tivoli pitch or is there some rules and regulations concerning the pitch having a barrier around it.

 

If OK then the next problem will be contacting ThanetLeisure Force the people who run pitch hire etc for the Council. They think there are tennis courts and cricket pitches on Tivoli (must be run by a relative of Ezekiel)

[michael]

Also seems a bit unfair on the U18's and reserves.

 

They deserve better imo.

[Pinklady]

i know that Minster Football Club play on Minster Wreck, you'd need promition from the Parish Council. thats if they can't get onto Tivoli which would be practical.

[differentgame]

I travel around SE Kent and have seen a lot of park pitches etc. and for some reason HP seems to suffer more than others. The thing is that Tivoli with it`s slight run off and natural drainage holds up better than HP, perhaps the slope should be reinstated. I know that there is some sort of water storage involved at HP, not sure if it`s needed, but would think that a French drainage system would get the water away far better.

 

That`s the thing with Parish and Trustee pitches, there`s always a waiting list and a limited amount of games allowed. I think that if the rains keep falling the reserves and U18s will have their sesons cancelled and reduced to friendly`s. I see the U18s Cup game is on for this weekend, I guess that if not played it might be forefeited.

Up the Gate

[abdullah]

Could they not look to switch the tie and play on their opponents' pitches?

 

Abdullah solve-it!

[michael]

But if its reserve games/junior sides, i guess like us, the first team is normally at home when reserves have away games and vice versa.

[abdullah]

Ah, a very pertinent observation my friend michaelmichael, I don't think the authorities would take kindly to 22 a-side matches! But we could play before or after the main match, or on the Sunday, for example!

 

Abdullah half solve-it!

[MargateFan]

I would offer Wingham rec. great slope, normally drains beautifully, but alas, this week it is a quagmire like everywhere else.

 

Good weather for mud-wrestling, though...

 

I blame global warming.

[michael]

Just looked at weather on teletext-sunny in Kent for the next 3 days-is that right ?

Maybe the rserves will get a game at HDP on saturday.

 

Then rain forecast prior to Tuesday night aaargh !!

[differentgame]

Yep, theres no sight of a let-up. I see that New York is under snow so I expect that weather front will make it`s way here and turn to rain. Forget a new pitch lets have a roof.

Up the Gate

[seasidesteve]

cover the pitch eh -- now there is a thought

[bigtw]

To cover the pitch with proper weather sheets cost around £25,000 so if 1000 supporters put in £25 each to a fund we could solve this problem for seasons to come. These sheets are also used to keep frost off and can be rolled off just before KO. Another option is if the club/supporters went to buy these we could get a grant for around half the cost from football foundation. The FA bought 2 sets of these sheets to loan to clubs for covering their pitches to stop so many FA cup games being called of due to weather this season. Just a fought

[michael]

Brilliant post Bigtw-needs serious consideration surely.

[MargateFan]

A very good and positive idea

[BlueGate Alan]

Well done Mr Wiska, a very good idea

[differentgame]

I`m sure that if it were taken seriously 2nd hand pitch covers could be found somewhere. There must be some sort of organisation that deals with this sort of thing. As far as putting our hands in our pockets for almost guaranteed games £25 seems a bargain.

OTHER NEWS

Seems that the U18s will not be playing any home games for some time. Not sure what the implications are but expect to get games forfeited.