8th March 2000     

Friendly off

ATHLETIC are counting the cost of their pitch problems after last night's game against Chesterfield was postponed. As well as writing off money for catering, programme printing and, possibly, sponsorship, they are also facing a massive headache over fixtures. Including four Oldham RL matches, Boundary Park must accommodate at least 20 games in the next two months. Torrential rain has left part of the pitch under water and, as poor drainage is also a problem, the fixture pile-up could get even worse before early May. Chief executive Alan Hardy admitted it would be difficult to fit in seven senior Athletic games, plus a minimum of nine for the reserves. But relaying the pitch from scratch — which could cost up to £500,000 — will not be considered when the backlog is cleared at the end of the season.

"The main problem is that some areas don't drain particularly well," said Mr Hardy. "It's far from satisfactory and we have been talking to pitch consultants for a couple of months. In fact, we are due to meet again next week. "We know the solution would be to lay a new pitch, but that kind of expense would be nonsensical. "For the time being, we don't know where we'll be playing in a year or two's time — Boundary Park or a new stadium." 

Mr Hardy said the presence of the Roughyeds had not made the surface any worse than it would have been anyway. He added: "It probably doesn't improve matters, but neither does it exacerbate them. "Other pitches accommodate football and rugby. All it means is that it's harder to fit in all our fixtures when something like this happens." Following the trend, tonight's fund-raising game at Stalybridge Celtic has been called off. Athletic were due to take a strong side to Bower Fold — with manager Andy Ritchie promising to make a comeback — and hope to rearrange the match for later in the season. Tomorrow night's reserve-team cup tie with Manchester City is also under threat.