Bad weather means Forest Pitch postponed

The Forest Pitch football matches, due to take place this Saturday, have been postponed after weeks of exceptional rainfall – like many other well established and special events in this very wet summer.

The two matches, which are the centrepiece of an arts and football project on a specially-created pitch in the heart of a Selkirk woodland, will be rescheduled for 25 August 2012. This will ensure that players and spectators can look forward to the best possible experience. Officials were concerned that the playing surface is too wet to safely allow two good-quality matches in a single afternoon.

Craig Coulthard, the Edinburgh-based artist behind Forest Pitch, said: “Postponement due to bad weather is always a hazard for Scottish football – and unfortunately this summer has seen incredible amounts of rainfall. Fortunately this is not an event that has to take place at a particular date or time. After three years of preparation we would much prefer to hold back for a few more weeks to ensure that the pitch and access routes are in top condition so the spectators and teams can have a really great day.”

Football Association (FA) Referee, Frank Campbell said: ‘I love the concept of Forest Pitch, but we have been extremely unlucky with the weather. It’s best that the matches don’t go ahead this week, but I look forward to them going ahead soon.’

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland added:- “Obviously it will be disappointing for the players, their families and spectators that the matches have been postponed, but we support Craig’s decision to hold the match at a later date and look forward to seeing everyone on 25 August.”

The Forest Pitch organisers have been closely monitoring the pitch, which has been designed and built to a high standard, and have been liaising with FA-qualified officials. Following a final site meeting today it was decided that the likely weather conditions for the next few days would not allow the pitch to dry out sufficiently to meet FA safety regulations.

The organisers opted for a mid-week decision to allow plenty of time to contact ticket holders and players.