Once again, a non-league football club is feeling the brunt of the weather as heavy flooding has wreaked havoc on their pitch.
AFC Telford finds itself grappling with a submerged field, and it’s not just the playing surface that’s affected— the gym, car park, and backrooms at their SEAH Stadium have all been impacted by the relentless rain that hit the Shropshire town.
A Call for Community Support
In light of the chaos, the club is reaching out to its fans for assistance in clearing the aftermath of the flooding.
They are particularly eager for help starting Friday at 9 am, hoping volunteers can lend a hand to restore order and dry things out.
Two years ago, the club faced a similar predicament, with flooding forcing them to seek volunteers for their offices after a disappointing relegation to the Southern League.
It’s a tough reminder of past struggles.
A Deluge of Challenges
On Thursday, the club took to social media platform X to express their frustrations.
“This evening’s thunderstorm over Wellington has deluged the SEAH Stadium,” they posted.
Although a few white lines were still faintly visible on the pitch, the overwhelming majority remained underwater.
Even the stands have not been spared, potentially motivating supporters to pitch in and help with the cleanup.
Outside the stadium, a lone vehicle was stranded on a grassy verge, barely escaping the floodwaters, a stark reminder of the extent of the flooding.
AFC Wimbledon’s Sinkhole Saga
Meanwhile, AFC Wimbledon fans woke up to their own alarming news earlier this week: a sinkhole had formed at their beloved ground due to flooding.
As of now, a fundraiser has already raised £118,000 to assist in repairing the damage, with Newcastle United stepping in to donate £15,000.
The fixture that was originally scheduled for Tuesday will now be played on October 1 at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, a significant distance away.
Game Cancellations and Community Resilience
Wimbledon has also had to call off their home game against Accrington Stanley after failing to secure an alternative venue.
The flooding didn’t stop at the pitch; the club shop and museum also took a hit.
On Monday, over 100,000 litres of water were pumped out of the Plough Lane stadium, but thanks to more than 2,000 generous donors, the club is on the path to recovery.
Moving Forward
Despite the setbacks, both clubs are showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
The community support and willingness to rally together will undoubtedly play a crucial role in getting things back on track.
What’s next for these teams remains to be seen, but their determination to overcome these challenges shines through.