SPITFIRES COUGH UP AFTER PITCH PROBLEM
EASTLEIGH will reimburse Chester and their fans for the costs of travelling to last month’s National League fixture that was called off at the eleventh hour.
The September 30 game was called off just over two hours before kick-off because one corner of the pitch was unplayable.
The club blamed a subsoil drainage problem for the postponement and have since been working with a National League approved contractor to rectify the issue.
Yesterday’s FA Cup game with Hereford was given the all-clear, although they had a contingency plan to play at Havant & Waterlooville.
Chester and their supporters were fuming at the situation and now face making the long trip to the south-coast on Halloween.
Eastleigh have apologised for the saga and vowed to let the travelling supporters into the rearranged fixture for free.
In a statement, Eastleigh said: “Following the well documented and untimely postponement of our National League fixture against Chester, we can confirm that numerous conversations have taken place with National League representatives, the FA, and Chester.
“As a result, we have agreed to reimburse Chester, for the costs they incurred in relation to both the team and supporters’ travel. We have also agreed on an additional sum aimed at covering the costs incurred by Chester fans travelling independently.
“Chester have asked that any claim for reimbursement of bona fide travelling costs is directed to them.We have received half a dozen emails in relation to this matter from visiting fans and have redirected these accordingly. As a further gesture of goodwill, we will provide free entry for all Chester fans for the rearranged fixture.
“Having carried out extensive repair works to our pitch this summer, no one is more disappointed at this situation than ourselves.
“Agreed protocol has been put in place with both the National League and the FA going forward, and we sincerely hope this is a situation which will not arise again in the future. Our apologies go to both sets of supporters who were hoping to attend the original fixture.”