Pitch invasion

PITCHES at Oldham Edge playing fields should still be available to local sports teams despite being churned up after the Big Bang bonfire display.

Tuesday’s event was a huge success, with over 15,000 people braving the conditions, making it much more successful than last year.

But the display left the pitches, used by Higgingshaw RFC and White House FC, who play on Sunday, in a mess and Oldham council have worked quickly to address the problem.

The authority also revealed they are pursuing a contractor for compensation after one of the top pitches at the site was left rutted.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, cabinet member for business and town centres, said: “We had rainfall almost every day for the previous three weeks, so it was already waterlogged and — like every other bonfire site regionally — has cut up in parts.

“A team has been on-site doing repair works to make pitches as playable as possible given the winter weather.

“On the top part of the site one pitch suffered rutting after an illegal site entry by a contractor who we are pursuing for compensation.

“The teams play alternate weeks and can use pitches on top of the embankment.

“If a match is cancelled it will be a referee decision based on player safety, which would likely be down to waterlogging.

“We’re now fully evaluating all aspects of this event to ensure we learn all lessons for the future.”