Switching venues isn’t the answer

I REFER to Ray Skingsley’s letter (Fans’

Forum, October 8) in relation to the recent postponed fixture between Eastleigh and Chester.

I fully understand Ray and many other’s frustrations regarding this event, but the suggestion that Eastleigh should now play their home fixture at Chester (as well as the away fixture) in order to punish them and somehow compensate Chester entirely ignores the fact that this would place other clubs, particularly those who like Chester are currently in the relegation zone, at a major disadvantage.

What should be considered as a matter of urgency by the authorities is a full review of all the ground grading criteria. Rather than insisting clubs build up for instance overlarge stands, surely a major priority should be to ensure that all playing surfaces are in an acceptable condition for the level being competed at.

It seems to me that as clubs progress onwards and upwards, much emphasis is quite rightly placed on ground capacity, seating capacity, ground safety, but the pitch standard is ignored even with the due time allowance which is given.

There are, for instance, clubs competing at Steps 3 and 4 whose pitches are extremely poor which can, in my opinion, raise safety issues.

I appreciate the tight financial situation that is currently being experienced all round; all the more reason to ensure that monies are expended to the best effect. DAVE CARPENTER via email