AFC Wimbledon’s Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle is to be moved to St James’ Park after the League Two side’s pitch was destroyed by flooding.
Photos inside the Cherry Red Records Stadium in south-west London on Monday showed a scene more like an extended sand trap than a football pitch after exceptional rainfall in the capital overnight.
The match, due to be played there on Tuesday night, was first postponed then relocated as the EFL said that the extent of flooding meant the game would be played almost 300 miles away in Newcastle on Tuesday 1 October.
Wimbledon acknowledged the disappointment the change of venue would cause their supporters. “We will confirm ticket arrangements as soon as possible (including refund process for the original fixture), and we are actively working with local travel companies on coach travel for our supporters wishing to travel,” they said. “We recognise this will be extremely difficult for supporters wishing to support the Dons for this hugely anticipated fixture.”
The Met Office had predicted that as much as a month’s rain could fall on parts of England in 24 hours as recent warm weather ended. Images of the Cherry Red Records Stadium show a particularly damaged corner of the pitch with a misshapen surface and flooded walkways around the ground.
The postponement means Wimbledon’s League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra, due to be played on 1 October, will have to be rescheduled for an alternative date. Wimbledon said an update would follow regarding Saturday’s scheduled home game against Accrington.
The Flooding Was So Bad, the Pitch Looks Like a Golf Course
The flooding in London was so bad that the pitch at AFC Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium was left looking like a golf course. The River Wandle, which runs through the stadium, overflowed its banks, leaving the pitch completely unplayable. Photos and videos posted on social media showed the extent of the damage, with large sections of the pitch submerged under water.
Why AFC Wimbledon's Game Was Moved to St James' Park
The EFL decided to move the game to St James' Park, Newcastle's home stadium, after the flooding caused a sinkhole to open up on the pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. The sinkhole, which was caused by the heavy rainfall, made the pitch completely unplayable, with the damage deemed too extensive to allow the game to take place.
The Impact of the Postponement on AFC Wimbledon
The postponement of the Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle has had a significant impact on AFC Wimbledon. The club has been forced to reschedule its League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra, which was also due to be played on October 1. AFC Wimbledon has also been forced to postpone its home game against Accrington, which was scheduled for Saturday, September 28. The club is also facing the challenge of arranging travel for its supporters who were planning to attend the game at St James' Park. The club has stated that it will confirm ticket arrangements as soon as possible and will work with local travel companies to provide coach travel for its fans.
The Future of AFC Wimbledon's Stadium
The flooding at the Cherry Red Records Stadium has raised questions about the future of the stadium. The club is currently working to assess the damage and will need to decide whether the stadium needs to be repaired or rebuilt. The damage to the pitch, in particular, will need to be addressed before the stadium can be used again. The club has said that it will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
What Happens Next
The draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup is due to take place after the conclusion of the televised fixture between Liverpool and West Ham at Anfield on Wednesday night. The fourth round itself is scheduled to be played during the week beginning October 28. Wimbledon have only one clear midweek before that in October, with Crewe previously due to visit in the league on October 1 before the Dons then travel to play Crawley in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on October 8. They host Morecambe in the league on October 22 before taking on Brighton’s Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on October 28. Newcastle - who have no European commitments again this season - have only three Premier League games on the schedule for October, against Everton, Brighton and Chelsea. However, there is another two-week international break coming up after their trip to Goodison Park on October 5.
The incident serves as a reminder of the impact of climate change and the need for infrastructure to be more resilient to extreme weather events. It also highlights the challenges faced by clubs, particularly those at lower levels of the football pyramid, in dealing with the costs of repairing damage caused by flooding. As the weather continues to change, clubs and organizations alike will need to adapt their facilities and infrastructure to cope with the increasing frequency of these types of events.
