Guernsey FC face £5,000 bill for postponed game with Raynes Park Vale

Areas of the playing surface at Footes Lane were deemed unplayable

Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance says the postponed game with Raynes Park Vale is likely to cost the club around £5,000.

Saturday's fixture was called off due to a waterlogged pitch just an hour before the game, with the opposition and officials already in the island.

Heavy rain after a rugby match affected parts of the Footes Lane surface.

"It's really disappointing for everyone, even more so from our point of view as it's cost us an absolute fortune," Vance told BBC Guernsey.

"That's a bitter pill we're going to have to swallow.

"I know Raynes Park Vale are very annoyed, but it doesn't cost them a penny to come over here.

"It looks like everything's been tried to get the game on, and unfortunately that's where we are, it's down to health and safety reasons by the referee."

It is the first time Guernsey have had an Isthmian League South Central game postponed at home since major works at Footes Lane - that is also home to Guernsey Raiders rugby union side - eight years ago.

Guernsey FC pay for all the travel costs of opposing players and officials to come and play matches on the island, and Vance said the decision to call the game off at such short notice was down in part to their location.

"You have to have a certain qualified referee to referee our games and there isn't anybody locally that can do that," he explained.

"Added into that there's not a referee locally able to make a decision on calling the game off the night before or even the morning of the game until he's here.

"He was on the flight at 08:00 with the team and so we had to wait for him to come here, which is unfortunate.

"When I got here I felt the pitch would dry out, there's been no rain, although there was an awful lot of rain last night (Friday), but in terms of what they try to do to give it the best chance, they chucked a lot of sand on the areas, but that hasn't made a difference.

"The referee had to make a decision and he's given it the best chance he can, so yes one hour before, but it's because he was trying to give it as long as he could."