Drainage work to fix Colchester United pitch is planned for next season, says Chairman

Colchester United Chairman Robbie Cowling has addressed the persistent issue of game postponements due to poor pitch conditions at the club's stadium. Cowling acknowledged the historical challenges with drainage at the venue, stating...

"I’m no drainage expert but the pitch at our stadium has never been great in terms of the drainage."

He attributed these challenges to the pitch's foundation on clay and revealed, "Our recent investigations show that the clay bed is just some 10 inches below the surface."

Cowling said that despite employing a reputable maintenance company and a dedicated team of ground staff, Colchester United has struggled with pitch maintenance.

Cowling expressed gratitude for the efforts of the club's staff but emphasized the need for improvement, noting, "We do not have an issue with staff levels. Nor do we have an issue with the staffs’ willingness to get stuck in."

While recognizing the assurances from drainage experts regarding the system's design, Cowling highlighted the uncertainty surrounding its current effectiveness without extensive excavation. He pointed out, "Like I said to start with, I’m not a drainage expert but I have spoken to several people who are, and they all assure me that there is nothing wrong with the design of the system that was installed when the stadium was built."

In the short term, the club remains dependent on weather conditions, with recent rainfall necessitating additional efforts to prepare the pitch for upcoming fixtures. Cowling stated, "A lot of work went into making the pitch playable for tonight’s game, but the timing and extent of today’s rainfall showed us no such mercy."

Looking ahead, Cowling outlined plans for significant drainage improvements at the end of the season to better cope with future challenges posed by increasingly prevalent adverse weather conditions, expressing, "At the end of this season, we already have plans to undertake major works to improve the drainage."

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