Four weeks ago, our league match v Wembley was postponed after a complaint was made regarding Geese droppings on the pitch. This subsequently led to our league, Combined Counties imposing a pitch closure on us for 2 weeks to give us time to ensure the pitch was cleared and action taken to prevent further occurrence.
We have complied with every action that has been asked of us. CCFL asked for expert advise from Middx FA and The Grounds Management Agency and working alongside both these parties, we again complied with all suggestions and actions.
This Monday, 4 weeks after the original postponed game, our pitch was inspected by both the GMA and Middx FA and confirmation was obtained that they (THE EXPERTS) were happy with the standard and saw no health & safety concerns. Their report stated “from Middx FA and the GMA’s perspective, the pitch was good to go.”

Over 24 hours later, our closure has still not been lifted.

The latest correspondence from CCFL received yesterday at 5pm said…”before the league gives approval to resume fixtures, we need to confirm that there is no underlying bacterial issues and that they required the experts to confirm this. We need the experts to make 100% sure.”
We are totally dismayed, shocked and confused by this and feel that we are somehow being victimised by the league.
All over the country, there are grass pitches, some maintained, some not. There are open spaces, school playing fields, parks everywhere you look. A vast majority of these areas will at some time, be visited by wildlife or domestic animals who leave deposits on the ground. Are we to believe, there is a ridiculously high risk to people who are playing football, rugby or any form of sport on the grass? Are all open spaces to be tested for underlying bacterial issues? Should we ban and close these areas until they are declared safe?
OF COURSE NOT!
And yet, here we are, a community-based grassroots club who are still being prevented from playing football on one of our pitches. I say one, as we have several and in fact on Sunday last, we had over 200 young people and our VETS team play and enjoy their matches on grass pitches that we have on our site. Not one complaint! Not one shout of infection!
We would like to state, the service and support that we have received from both the GMA and FA has been very much appreciated along with support from some clubs and their supporters throughout the country. We have had support from Lincoln Jopp, a local MP and have received messages from ex-players who are also lost for words. We would also like to thank Staines & Lammas FC, who groundshare with us and have found themselves subject to this closure, for their continued support.
Like many clubs around us, we are run by volunteers – those that generally know us as a football club will know that we are a very small group of volunteers all doing the very best we can but we are all now mentally at breaking point.
We welcome any suggestions or help from anyone in the sporting community who may be able to help.
Our closing statement is, as we also opened, WE FEEL TOTALLY LET DOWN BY OUR LEAGUE!