PITCH SABOTAGE SUSPECTED

AFC Flyde, a member of the National League, suspects sabotage to their pitch.

In a post on their official website last week, they revealed that following investigations into why their playing surface had been performing so badly, they now suspect that it has been "purposefully sabotaged" - as a brick wrapped in a cloth was found in the drainage system, causing damage.

The club say they believe that only someone with a working knowledge of the pitch at Mill Farm would have been able to do this.

With a high fixture congestion, it was thought that the heavy usage may have caused the damage, but the club are now convinced this was not the case.

The AFC Fylde head groundsman Ian Forshaw (pictured above from AFC Flyde's website) explained to the club's website his account of events, and the uncovering of the brick wrapped in a cloth.

He is quoted as saying, "Since being here it’s been the case that the pitch has been wet, and it should have drained much better than it has been doing.

“We applied some wetters which would drag the water through, but nothing was happening - so we investigated the drainage.

“On one side it was draining ok, but the pitch was still wet through - so we looked on the pitch side drain, and that’s when we found a brick covered in a cloth lodged deep in the drainage pipe.

“Why this was in there, I don’t know, but since removing the brick we noticed it’s now draining better - but recovery at this stage of the year is going to be slow."

The club says it goes without saying that they are really disappointed in the individual who has taken this action, and they urge anyone with any information to come forward.

To get in touch with the club individuals can email , or call 01772 598855.