Football club fined £10,000 over sprinklergate

A non-league football club has been fined £10,000 after using its sprinkler system and then postponing a game because of a waterlogged pitch.

King's Lynn Town in Norfolk postponed their match with South Shields on 14 February stating there was "too much sitting water" on the pitch.

An anonymous source later released CCTV appearing to show a sprinkler in operation the previous day.

The National League said the club had breached rules. In response, the club said it acknowledged the outcome but that the irrigation system was used without "approval of senior staff".

The Linnets, who were four points above the relegation zone in National League North at the time, had injury problems ahead of the game against promotion-chasing South Shields.

A National League spokesperson said it received reports the sprinklers were activated during poor weather and that this "influenced the decision to postpone".

"Following a thorough investigation, the National League charged King's Lynn Town with a breach of league rule 8.11 - each club must take every precaution to keep its ground in good playing condition."

A league disciplinary panel met on Friday, they added.

The club in response said the irrigation system had been operated in an "inappropriate manner".

"Although this occurred without the knowledge or approval of senior staff, and in the context of conditions that had already left the pitch unplayable, the club has cooperated fully with the league throughout its investigation and accepted the charge at the first opportunity," a club spokesperson said.

"We recognise that, in this instance, we fell short of the standards expected, and we have strengthened our match-day procedures to ensure this does not happen again."

The club head into their final game of the season on Saturday against Chester as they face possible relegation.

Back in March, the club replaced manager Ian Culverhouse with former Birmingham City defender Paul Caddis.

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