Club's third flood 'more and more of a challenge'

A grassroots Herefordshire football club has said the continued flooding of its home is presenting "more and more of a challenge".

Members of Ross Juniors FC are used to the club's home at Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre on Wilton Road being flooded once or twice a year.

But this season alone, they have had to deal with a waterlogged pitch three times.

"We've had flooding in October, flooding in November, and now flooding in December," said committee member Paul Flitney. "So we're estimating… we've probably lost seven to eight weeks of the season for home fixtures."

Mr Flitney said dealing with the aftermath of Storm Darragh meant the club's 30 teams - ranging from 2-year-olds to a veterans' side, who between them play up to 15 home games each weekend - would be unable to host any matches before Christmas.

"We're having to postpone games, we're having to ask opponents if we can play them at their place," he said, "or look for expensive facilities in the local area that haven't flooded."

The club is funded by grants and members' fees.

"If there's anything little left over we try to improve the facilities, but over the last few years it's become more and more of a challenge with the flooding," said Mr Flitney.

"We have a groundsman, who's the only paid person we have in the organisation… And instead of him working to improve the pitches, it's always repair now.

"So there's no progression in the facilities, it's just repairing."

Mr Flitney said the town really needed its own 4G pitch away from the river.

"We're just not playing games, and there doesn't seem to be any immediate solution.

"It's very disheartening."

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.