Floodlights problem causes postponement

Ashford’s first home game of the season was postponed due to a problem with their floodlights.

The Nuts & Bolts were due to host Ramsgate in Isthmian South East last night (Tuesday) but the new lighting system required at Homelands has not yet been installed.

United issued a statement explaining the delay after confirming they would be without a midweek fixture.

The statement read: “Everyone at Ashford United has been fully aware of the problems facing us with our out-of-date pitch floodlighting. “A programme was put in place to overhaul the current installation two years ago but after several attempts and costly repairs it was established that the switchgear installed 30 years ago was now beyond repair.

“Following the club’s attendance at last year’s league AGM we were persuaded by the FA Football Foundation to apply for a grant to totally renew the lighting for our entire floodlighting system and were given instructions as to their requirements.

“This coincided with the FA directive regarding the LUX or lighting levels if the club were to get promoted. The directive was to increase our LUX levels by at least 60% or we would not be compliant.

“We obtained many quotes and reports and settled for the best upgrade to satisfy all league and FA requirements. We made the formal application along with quotes to the FA as per their request last October. We were told on a number of occasions that the lights would be started by January this year. “More importantly for the grant paying for our lights with a cost of £30,000 we were not allowed to touch or do any work on the lights until the grant had been approved by the FA. This contribution to our club is a massive help and for that we thank the FA Football Foundation for this support. “However the delays kept coming putting the club under enormous pressure as the new season got closer and closer. The Isthmian League directors were fully supportive towards Ashford United understanding it was out of our control and indeed pressurised the FA to finalise our application with evening games looming. “Tuesday just past we finally got the OK and the FA instructed the replacement of our floodlight system. “Unfortunately, the appointed contractor has other commitments and with just over one week needed to complete the contract at Homelands, a start date is fixed for a couple of weeks time and we can’t complain after them waiting for the FA for so long. “The league is, of course, fully supportive and now we have the go-ahead we can move rapidly to alleviate any backlog in fixtures.”