The Anglian Combination League, featuring 85 amateur teams across Norfolk and Suffolk, has postponed the start of its 2026/27 season because pitches are 'rock hard' and too dangerous to play on. The decision, made unanimously by the league's management board, delays the season until August 29.
League Chairman Cites Player Welfare
League chairman Dale Brown said: “The rationale behind this decision is to protect the welfare of players, officials and all associated with the match day in what has been the driest and hottest July since records began in 1836. Most of our league clubs’ pitches are grass and the ground conditions are extremely dry and pitches rock hard. This was a very difficult decision to reach and one that will not please all clubs.”
Several pre-season friendlies had already been cancelled, and matches that went ahead resulted in 'many injuries'.
Clubs Struggle to Keep Pitches Playable
Hartley Wintney FC, which plays in the Isthmian League, has warned fans it may have to move home matches due to its sun-baked pitch. The club has already relocated pre-season friendlies, losing vital income. A spokesman said repeated heatwaves, drought, and reduced water pressure made it a 'major challenge to complete pitch works'. Volunteers have worked long hours to water the pitch, but without rain, the club may be unable to stage games 'until such time that the pitch is playable'.
The club, due to host Egham Town on August 18 and Hendon on September 12, has contacted teams about reversing or rearranging fixtures.
Water Restrictions and Infrastructure Impacts
Half of Britain is under a hosepipe ban, with nine water companies imposing restrictions. Southern Water has applied for a non-essential use ban, which would stop businesses from washing cars and windows, filling swimming or paddling pools, and watering outdoor plants. This would be the first such restriction in 20 years.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort was forced to close due to a burst water main, turning away families during the school holidays. A Thames Water spokesman said: “We're sorry to customers in the Chessington area who are currently without water and to anyone whose plans to visit Chessington World of Adventures Resort have been affected following today's outage.”
The Met Office is considering issuing rare amber or red extreme heat warnings, with temperatures possibly reaching 36C on Thursday. Meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “Thursday at this stage looks the most likely hottest day of the week. So 36C is a fairly reasonable probability locally on Thursday and there's a small chance it could get even higher than that. There is a potential for impacts - so impacts to infrastructure, things like railway lines and power networks, impacts to vulnerable people as well.” More than 2,800 people have died in the UK from extreme heat this year.
The Grounds Management Association has advised groundskeepers to cut grass less often, let it grow longer, and water only high-priority areas to preserve pitches.
