Ashford must splash out £106,000 to alleviate waterlogging

Ashford Town owner Don Crosbie will have to splash out over £100,000 to prevent games at The Homelands being postponed due to waterlogged pitches, writes Stephen McCartney.

Walton & Hersham’s visit to the ground was postponed following a 9:30am pitch inspection yesterday, as heavy rain battered Kent the previous evening.

The Ryman League Division One South club installed a sprinkling system during the close season, as well as other improvements to the ground in Kingsnorth.

But Mr Crosbie, who told www. During the close season that he’s splashing out half a million pounds on the club this season, explained his plans for the playing surface.

“The fully pumped computerised sprinkler system was installed last closed season,” he told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“At the end of this season the new drainage system will be installed.

“After the drainage runs, which amounts to 8,000 meters have been laid, then the pitch will be levelled, then hollow tined and top dressed.

“The bad areas, as in the centre circle and both penalty areas will be levelled, under soiled and fully turfed.

“These works amounting to £106,000 should alleviate most of the problems with the current playing surface and will prevent water logging as we get now.

“It would be great to have done these works before this season but there was insufficient time to do the sprinklers and the drainage works.

“The sprinkles have to be done first as this work would interfere with the drainage works but I am sure by next season the pitch will be something to be proud of.”

Despite taking over last month, Steve Lovell has yet won a game at four attempts as Ashford Town boss, after taking over from Clive Walker.

And during his first game in charge, a 4-0 home defeat, the game was held up for around four minutes early in the second half, as a sprinkler popped up at the centre spot, and pumped out gallons of water onto an already soaked pitch.

The Nuts & Bolts travel to south London next Saturday, to tackle Dulwich Hamlet.

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk