Hanworth Villa Football Club has been facing significant challenges due to a severely waterlogged pitch, causing disruptions to fixtures for the first team and other teams using our facilities.
While the area—and much of the country—has experienced substantial rainfall, the situation has been worsened by a newly discovered leaking water pipe just outside the stadium at the motorway end. Although the leak has not directly flooded the pitch, it has saturated the surrounding areas, preventing proper drainage and compounding the effects of heavy rainfall. The pipe, which is part of the public water network and not the club’s system, is currently being repaired by Thames Water, and we hope this work will be completed soon.
Over the past few weeks, club volunteers have made efforts to remove surface water from the pitch, but the ground remains excessively soft and frequently unsafe for matches. As a result, multiple fixtures have been postponed.
Unfortunately, attempts to conduct remedial work have been significantly hindered by the extent of the saturation. Heavy machinery cannot be used without risking further damage to the fragile surface, and even basic maintenance has been difficult due to the sheer softness of the ground. While some first-team matches have gone ahead following dry spells—with the addition of large amounts of sand to help bind the soil—the pitch is far from its usual standard.
The club acknowledges that full recovery will take time, and any further rainfall remains a concern. Once the leak is properly repaired, several weeks of consistently dry weather will be needed for the pitch to fully dry out and regain stability. We are hopeful that the current spell of dry and warmer weather will allow us to proceed with verti-draining work in collaboration with our contractors—something we have attempted but have been unable to complete due to the poor conditions.
Hanworth Villa FC continues to work closely with water authorities to address the issue and minimize further impact. The club deeply appreciates the patience and support of its players, fans, and the wider footballing community during this challenging period. Updates on pitch conditions and match rescheduling will be communicated through official club channels.
In the meantime, we encourage supporters and volunteers to assist where possible, as the club explores temporary solutions to accelerate the drying process and restore the pitch to the standard we expect.
