Game off! – Due to hungry crows!

By Robin Jones

DAMAGE: Grantham Town‘s pitch

GRANTHAM Town’s pitch has been rendered unplayable – thanks to a horde of hungry crows!

The playing surface at the club’s council-owned South Kesteven Sports Stadium has been ripped up by birds searching for their favourite food.

The Gingerbreads were forced to postpone their NPL Division One East fixture against Worksop Town on Monday just three hours before kick-off after discovering the damage.

The crows were looking for chafer beetle grubs which have infested the soil beneath the turf.

While remedial work on the ground known to fans as The Meres now underway, the Gingerbreads were also forced to switch yesterday’s home FA Cup first qualifying round tie to their opponents Rugby Town‘s ground, with a proviso that if a replay was needed, it would be played there too.

Supporters have rallied round the club by contributing to a “CROWdfunding” appeal to raise £20,000 to repair the pitch.

More than 60 fans donated around £3,500 in three days and one big-hearted follower stumped up a further £3,000.

Fundraiser Simon Hayes said: “The Meres pitch needs replacing as soon as possible as no home matches can be played until it is.”

The Gingerbreads already had an ongoing issue with chafer grubs and had already carried out extensive work to try to repair the pitch and keep it playable.

The club is now in discussions with the council on how best to move forward.

● SOUTHERN Counties East Division One side Selsey were forced to postpone their home game with East Preston on Tuesday – due to sewage!

The problem was caused by a major sewage leak across the entrance to their High Street ground following the collapse of a drain.

The brown stuff backed up to the clubhouse which had to remain closed.

Despite two visits from Southern Water in a bid to start rectifying the problem, Wednesday’s FA Women’s National League game between SFC Women and Southampton also fell victim.