No to friendly summer matches

Audlem FC's plans to get ready for next season with a series of friendly matches – we wonder if Brazil might need a game to help their recovery – has been thwarted.

A request to Ansa Environmental Services Ltd, the organisation owned by and now looking after Cheshire East Council's sports facilities, from Ralph Warburton said: "Good day. We have a series of friendly games as we build up the team for the new season.

"The goal posts were removed. Can these be replaced right away as we will be playing this Sunday?"

The reply said: "Hi Ralph. I'm afraid this is not something we allow. Our pitches are closed during the close of season and posts will remain down til we re-open the pitches at the end of August."

Ralph's restrained response was: "Need to re-plan. Presume other teams have their own pitches for Friendlies? If only the Audlem Field belonged to the Village."

A request was, however, then put in for reseeding and other maintenance work including some tree pruning which did receive the following reply:
"This is the reason the pitches are closed so maintenance can be done on all pitches, goal mouths are seeded and top soiled where necessary and any events which took place will have received a bond for repair work needed.

"With regards tree pruning this will be sent to a separate section. Can you send me a response to what and where exactly trees need looking at for this area."

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