Fundraising fans' concern over City's pitch problems

Fans who raised funds for St James's Park new pitch have expressed their sadness after this week's fixture was cancelled due to a waterlogged surface.

But they have vowed to continue to help the club reach its target in the Pitch-in for City campaign, despite problems with the drainage that led to Tuesday's match against Swindon being called off.

The pitch was described as unplayable due to heavy rain.

It was re-laid in the summer - the first time in more than a century - following a campaign by the Exeter Supporters' Trust to raise £150,000. Around £90,000 has already been raised with the remaining shortfall coming from manager Paul Tisdale's playing budget. Part of the changes included drainage being installed for the first time.

Exeter City chairman Julian Tagg released a statement on Tuesday night which said: "Considering the condition of the pitch the board have decided to seek further technical and legal advice."

He said yesterday the club would not be adding to that statement. But Di Lee, of the East Devon Grecians, which has already handed over £5,000 to the campaign and is continuing to fundraise, said fans were disappointed to see the pitch in such a state.

"We were at the ground as we were sponsoring the match and it was quite obvious at 5pm it was likely to be off," she said.

"The pitch is not draining. We would expect it to be much better than that. The drainage was put there when the pitch was re-laid to account for this sort of weather. It is no one's fault at the club as they all worked very hard to get the game on.

See the rest of the article on the following link:-This is Exeter