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West Norfolk village football pitch 'devastated' by crows




Officials from a village football club have praised the community’s efforts to help them fix their pitch after it was “devastated” by crows.

Nick Malby, general manager at Gayton United FC, said they had spent “a lot of time” getting the pitch on Lime Kiln Road ready for the season, but last week they discovered it had been dug up by crows who were feeding on Chafer grubs which had infested the soil.

Mr Malby said: “The football community has done their best, everybody has been happy to help.”

Gayton United's pitch after it was "devastated" by crows digging up Chafer grubs. Picture: SUBMITTED. (15568357)
Gayton United's pitch after it was "devastated" by crows digging up Chafer grubs. Picture: SUBMITTED. (15568357)

He said after the pitch was found to be in a poor state on Thursday, they spent all of Friday preparing it for the first home game of the season against Wells Town FC on Saturday.

“We had players from the village coming to physically help, and we had several people telling us what’s the best thing to do,” he added.

“About 7/8 of the pitch is fine but 1/8 of it is patchy, but between the bits that have been dug up, we’ve filled it with soil.”

Gayton United's pitch after it was "devastated" by crows digging up Chafer grubs. Picture: SUBMITTED. (15568355)
Gayton United's pitch after it was "devastated" by crows digging up Chafer grubs. Picture: SUBMITTED. (15568355)

Mr Malby said they have experienced this kind of damage before, but not of this scale.

“The last time this happened was a couple of years ago and it wasn’t too bad, but this time it’s much worse.”

The club has since implemented some crow-scaring devices to discourage the birds from pecking at the ground, but they are hoping to find a more permanent solution.

Mr Malby said: “There isn’t anything legal to kill these grubs except nematodes but those are expensive.”

He added: “We are trying to keep crows off the pitch until the bugs disappear under ground.”

Gayton United's pitch after it was work was completed to return it to normal, after it was "devastated" by crows digging up Chafer grubs. Picture: SUBMITTED. (15650687)
Gayton United's pitch after it was work was completed to return it to normal, after it was "devastated" by crows digging up Chafer grubs. Picture: SUBMITTED. (15650687)

Gayton won 2-1 against Wells on Saturday, and Gayton United reserves beat Downham reserves 1-0 on Tuesday night, which was also played at home.

The club is still appealing for help with any advice on the issue, and any offers of financial assistance to help deal with the grubs would be gratefully received.

Anyone who might be able to help can contact the club via the Gayton FC Facebook page, or by visiting the club on Saturdays.



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