Wardle FC grounds may not be ready before season starts

Part of the pitch at Rutherford Park before grass seed was laid

The grounds at Rutherford Park may not be ready in time for Wardle Football Club’s first matches of the new season, fears club chairman Rik Fielding.

Over the summer, the grounds have been subject to an asbestos survey, and have only just been refilled and reseeded so the pitch is playable.

Following the survey, Rik says the pilot holes where the ground was tested were refilled with grit sand, not sport sand.

Now remedied, Rik fears that whilst the pitch is playable, the freshly laid grass seed will be disturbed and not grow having been planted so close to the season’s start on 8 September.

Rik said: “Grass sods should have been used so now I don’t know if the grass will grow in time. We’re having to train at Wardle High and Kingsway and the matches kick off on the 8 and 9 September.

“I don’t understand why Environmental Management have repaired the mess, not the contractor?”

He continued: “Grit sand should never be used on sports fields due to issues it could cause if someone gets injured while playing sports. With my knowledge and discussion with our county FA, only sport sand and root zone or soil should be used when repairing sport pitches.

“For three years, I’ve asked about the health and safety issues the banking between both pitches could cause and could we address this. ‘No’ was the reply every time, so this summer the club paid and erected and fence between both pitches to stop any injuries.

“We have paid £600 out of our own pocket for this, but the council, despite being on site when we started work in July, have only just questioned it.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “Our grounds maintenance staff carried out some remediation work to repair the disturbed ground where trial pits had been dug as soon as possible after the asbestos survey was carried out.”

Mark Robinson, Assistant Director of Economy at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are working closely with the club and have given them a great deal of support and advice to help them meet all relevant safety and design standards while they carry out their work.”