Chichester City's problems aren't on the pitch - they are under it

Pitch drainage problems are hampering Chichester City’s bid for a play-off place.
By Steve Bone
Published 26th Feb 2020, 17:00 BST
One part of the Oaklands Park pitch has particular drainage problems / Picture from Chichester City FCOne part of the Oaklands Park pitch has particular drainage problems / Picture from Chichester City FC
One part of the Oaklands Park pitch has particular drainage problems / Picture from Chichester City FC

Although all clubs have suffered throughout a very wet winter, City have had more problems than some keeping their pitch fit for play.

Tuesday night’s home Isthmian south east clash with Herne Bay, already a rearranged fixture, was the latest Oaklands Park match to be lost to waterlogging.

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Now chairman Andy Bell has explained how they are doing everything they can to get it in better condition.

City are already facing a fixture pile-up – they have 16 league games left, when some in the division have six fewer.

Bell said: “The club would like to give some insight to the recent problems with matches being postponed. Obviously there has been a much larger, widespread cancellation of games this season due to the increased rain. This can’t always be helped because of standing water.

“As anyone who has been to Oaklands Park recently will be aware, we have been struggling with one area of the pitch that will not drain.

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“We’ve spoken to previous groundsmen and they’ve never experienced the problem in this area before.

“There has always been talk of a stream running underneath the pitch but we have never experienced it.

“Last week we core-drilled 150mm-wide holes at one metre deep to explore the problem and they were surprisingly dry.

“We’ve therefore put in 40 150mm core holes and filled them with shingle in the problem area.

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“We’re hoping this will solve the problem long-term but unfortunately following the additional rain and playing damage from Saturday, it will take a few days to recover and start working.

“We appreciate visiting clubs not making an issue of this and playing on a challenging surface and are continuing to work on the pitch this week. We fully expect the issue to improve from this point onwards.”

Longer-term, Chi hope the pitch will be replaced by a 3G surface.

City are next due at home on Tuesday, when leaders Ashford visit. City play away to Ashford this Saturday.

Last weekend’s 2-1 win at home to Hythe left Chi seventh, nine points off a play-off spot.

Related topics:Chichester CityAndy Bell