The curtain goes up on the new Southern Premier League season in three weekend’s time – but it’s looking increasingly unlikely Trojans’ scheduled Division 2 opener against Sparsholt will go ahead, certainly at Stoneham Lane.
Three months and more have now elapsed since the lucrative Christmas hospitality marquee was taken away from the site, leaving the already unkempt outfield scarred with deep tyre tracks and unusable for any sport.
It is now mid-April but little, if any, work to repair the outfield (it is likely to need significant expenditure) appears to have taken place.
Trojans Club chairman Campbell Williams explains: “As you'll be aware, it's been very wet and cold since about November. The Trojans outfield is used during winter, this time part of it with the marquee, but also for rugby.
“The Southern League visit in mid-March was cancelled due to snow.
“We are doing what we can, and plan to have the pitch ready with significant investment to achieve this in machinery and materials, but needs to stop raining to allow work to commence.
“So, no different from other clubs, or previous years, except this year we have more investment scheduled.”
Trojans are already on an official warning from the Southern Premier League following poor outfield marks in past seasons.
It’s three weeks until stumps are pitched. The clock is ticking but time is not on Trojans’ side …
Three months and more have now elapsed since the lucrative Christmas hospitality marquee was taken away from the site, leaving the already unkempt outfield scarred with deep tyre tracks and unusable for any sport.
It is now mid-April but little, if any, work to repair the outfield (it is likely to need significant expenditure) appears to have taken place.
Trojans Club chairman Campbell Williams explains: “As you'll be aware, it's been very wet and cold since about November. The Trojans outfield is used during winter, this time part of it with the marquee, but also for rugby.
“The Southern League visit in mid-March was cancelled due to snow.
“We are doing what we can, and plan to have the pitch ready with significant investment to achieve this in machinery and materials, but needs to stop raining to allow work to commence.
“So, no different from other clubs, or previous years, except this year we have more investment scheduled.”
Trojans are already on an official warning from the Southern Premier League following poor outfield marks in past seasons.
It’s three weeks until stumps are pitched. The clock is ticking but time is not on Trojans’ side …
