The East Grinstead and District League have stolen the march on other leagues in Sussex by hiring an astroturf pitch to solve their fixtures crisis.

League chairman Ray O'Brien has booked Crawley Leisure Centre's all-weather pitch for seven hours every Sunday for the whole of February. It will allow the league to play, with the exception of one match, a full league programme every week.

O'Brien insists this step guarantees all scheduled games on the astroturf will be played.

He said: "We had to do something, because we're so behind with our fixtures. Playing on an all-weather pitch is not ideal, but at least we'll be able to get these games played.

"The only way matches can be disrupted is if the sun suddenly explodes or if a whirlwind strikes Crawley."

Matches started on Sunday with Bewbush Manor taking on Pound Hill. Stone Quarry, who have not played in the league since November, were scheduled to face Southern Athletic.

Quarry secretary Paul Mutton said: "The league has to be congratulated for taking this step.

"I heard that a couple of clubs might hire the all-weather pitch, but never imagined the league itself was going to book the facilities. Not everyone likes playing on artificial pitches, but as long as everyone takes care the chances of getting injured will not be high.

"It probably helps if you wear jogging bottoms. I will definitely, because I'm playing in goal."

Independence secretary Bob Gordon said: "It's an excellent move. The league has surprised everyone with this. Most of us were under the impression that it was only for this Sunday.

"But this is probably the only way all the games are going to be played this season. The pitches in the area look as though they'll never see football played on them again."

O'Brien said he managed to negotiate a reasonable rate for the pitch hire.

He said: "It's about the same price as hiring a grass pitch, so we cannot complain.

"Crawley Leisure Cen-tre were more than happy to help us and we'll see how it goes. We might have to book it in March as well if this weather continues."

This is the first league to take such a step in Sussex. The question has to be asked why other leagues have not taken similar steps?

Write to us with your views at justin.allen@argus-btn.co.uk