Cup match cancelled due to 'monumental' kit error

Newhaven FC was set to play Tooting Bec FC in the FA Vase

An FA Vase match was cancelled as the opposition forgot their kit in what they called a "monumental error".

East Sussex's Newhaven FC was set to play Tooting Bec FC on Sunday in Chipstead, Surrey, in the first round of qualifying in the non-league cup competition.

In a club statement Tooting Bec said: "Due to a miscommunication, we arrived at the ground today without our playing kit.

"It was a monumental error, and we are embarrassed that it ultimately led to the match referee deciding to not allow a later kick-off to get the game played."

'Comedy sketch'

The London-based club explained there was not enough time for a round trip to collect their kit, even though they tried "a number of options".

"Unfortunately, the kit still hadn't arrived within the allowed delayed kick-off time of 15:30, so the game was ultimately called off," the statement said.

Newhaven chairman Martin Garry said: "It was a bit of a comedy sketch because they were going around trying to find people with black shorts to take them off and put another pair on, so there were some people in some, should we say, very tight-fitting shorts."

Tooting Bec chairman Steffen Wells said the club suggested to the FA that Newhaven advance to the next round.

'Embarrassed'

He added that the club would also cover all the costs of the fixture and refund all spectators.

"Everyone at the club has my full support and, as embarrassed as we feel today, we will always pride ourselves on our hospitality, sportsmanship and organisation.

"We will put measures in place as a club to make sure a mistake on this scale cannot happen again."

The FA said it was seeking "observations" from both clubs and the match officials.