Landslip at Teignmouth causing a huge football problem

While results can fluctuate and be frustrating, spare a thought for Teignmouth AFC, who will play the remainder of their Peninsula League fixtures away from home after a landslip at their Coombe Valley ground.

An SWPL statement said: “The club were already in a difficult position after planned ground improvements had over run and caused damage to the playing surface which has been difficult to rectify in the current weather conditions, and this further land slip, coupled with more work required to clean up the slip and make safe the area from further potential land-slips has, and will continue, for the time being to make Coombe Valley unusable for football for the rest of the current season.

“Due to the delays in the programmed improvements at Teignmouth which have included installation of floodlights, extra playing and spectators spaces etc the club had not played a home game until November and have in fact only played two Home games so far this season. “This will continue to create a problem for the club and its finances, as well as a problem for the league in completing league fixtures by the end of April, and only by using complaint grounds within the NLS.

“To that end the league has worked hard over the past few days to put in place an action plan that will see fixtures that had been due to have been played at Coombe Valley moved to other grounds and wherever possible kept on the same scheduled dates, especially keeping the majority still as “Saturday matches”.

“The league, and we are sure Teignmouth themselves, are especially proud of the off the pitch co-operation that exists amongst their fellow clubs in the league and we thank all clubs who have offered to assist Teignmouth in their hour of need. Ten of the 14 games are already confirmed as moved with the remaining four all offered to a further club where dates appear feasible.

“In closing, the league wish Teignmouth the very best and appreciate it will not be easy to complete the season, but the comradeship that exists off the pitch in the SWP will we trust prevail.”