Club chairman Chris Ammonds says dry heat has meant the pitch has not been able to grow back.
The chairman of Hereford FC has described the decision to cancel a pre-season match as a "big blow".
Chris Ammonds said weather conditions conspired against the club after the installation of new floodlights was held up due to heavy rain, followed by dry heat exacerbating damage to the pitch during the work.
"The installation was complete over the summer but where the tracking had been laid across the pitch to allow for heavy machinery to operate, the grass hasn't grown back," he said.
To keep players safe, Saturday's under 21s friendly game against Leicester City has been cancelled.
A small section of the Edgar Street Stadium pitch in front of the Len Weston Stand has been effected.
"Ben the groundsman was pulling his hair out, because in many areas, the grass has taken brilliantly, but then in a couple of quite large patches. It's not taken at all," Mr Ammonds said.
"We've gone through a phase where the weather has been baking and that's probably stitched us up a little bit in terms of trying to get the grass growing again.
"So for safety reasons we just felt it wasn't right to play on the pitch this weekend," Mr Ammonds added.
'Difficult decisions'
The stadium installed sustainable LED flood-lights.
The project had previously been put on temporary hold due to National Highways needing to approve it.
In October 2024 construction workers were met with high levels of groundwater following heavy rain, which delayed the project for a second time.
Mr Ammonds said: "This is obviously a big blow to our plans on and off the pitch but sometimes you have to make difficult decisions even if you don't want to.
"Although we'd rather not miss out on this extra income from a home friendly, it is something that we're in a position to be able to deal with it much better than maybe we would have a couple of years ago," he added.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
- Floodlight delay could shut down club - chairman
- New sponsor 'a big deal' for football club
- Football club floodlights delayed for second time
- Stadium flood-light could become telecoms tower
Related internet links
Category: General Sports
