Stamford AFC coach calls to 'move the season', so grassroots clubs don't suffer in winter weather

There's concern grassroots football teams across Peterborough, Stamford and Rutland will keep suffering from bad weather, unless action is taken to start the season later.

Yellow weather warnings are in place from the Met Office for the UK, with Storm Isha bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

Stamford AFC Women's boss, Robin Chaudhuri, is calling for games to be played when the weather is warmer so fewer grassroots teams have to postpone games.

'There are no easy answers to this...', he said.

'Clearly more 3G pitches would help, but the reality is you would need to have the space to even build the 3G and the cost is eyewatering.'

'If the season started sometime in February then it could be that we carry on until August. That would be the better approach to youth football and perhaps women's football because we lose so much time during the winter.'

Stamford AFC have an artificial pitch so disruption to matches caused by winter weather is minimised.

Mr Chaudhuri said money made on a matchday is essential for some clubs: 'It's not just the ticket sales, it's also what people buy at the larders and tuck shops.'

'...the teas, the coffees, these are all very important because some of the adult staff get paid, and that money has to be found through other sources.'

'Money is really important. The cost of electricity and therefore the cost of floodlights is also expensive. Clubs need revenue coming in to offset those expenses.'

'It's really difficult if the weather stops individuals from playing.'

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