Clubs Scramble to Keep Football Pitches Green Amid Sizzling Heatwave

Football clubs in Guernsey are facing big challenges as they try to prepare their pitches for the upcoming season. The island has experienced very hot and dry weather, with only 5. 4 millimeters of rain falling in July. This lack of rain has made it difficult for the grass to grow, and many clubs are struggling to keep their fields in good condition. With limited equipment and not much money, it is hard for the clubs to water all parts of their grounds. Sprinklers and hoses are being used, but they are not enough to cover the whole area.

Simon Jackson, the groundsman for the North club, explained that this year is even worse than last year. He said he cannot remember the grass being in such poor shape since his son started playing at the club. To try to help the grass, they run sprinklers for three hours every night and use ziplines to reach the driest spots. However, their water comes from a well, and there is only a certain amount available, so they have to be careful not to use it all up.

Ben Hunter, the director of St Martin's AC club, said that if they had a week of rain, the grass would start to grow back in about ten days. He has noticed some green patches where they have managed to water, but it is still difficult because players use the field every night, which makes it hard for the grass to recover. The KGV playing fields in Cobo are used for both football and cricket. Stuart Le Prevost, another club director, said that when the temperature goes above 30 degrees, they put a cover over the cricket wicket to stop it from cracking before the next matches. All the clubs are hoping for rain soon so their pitches will be ready for the new season.