WIMBLEDON have pumped more than 100,000 LITRES of water out of their pitch as they begin fixing the sinkhole which postponed their Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle.
The League Two outfit were due to host Eddie Howe’s side in the third round at Plough Lane on Tuesday evening.
But the match was called off due to flooding on the pitch and outside the ground after the River Wandle broke its banks on Sunday evening.
It has since been rearranged for October 1 and moved to St James’ Park.
And Wimbledon’s managing director James Woodroof has now revealed the stadium has suffered “significant damage” due to the whole venue being “under water”.
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Speaking to BBC Radio London, he said: “I woke up to images from my stadium team. I thought it was AI [artificial intelligence].
“The entire stadium, the concourse and ground floor, was under water. It was horrendous. The pitch has significant damage.
“We filled four tankers, which house 27,000 litres each – over 100,000 litres.”
The re-arrangement of Wimbledon’s cup clash against Newcastle means their home league game against Crewe has been postponed.
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Woodroof confirmed they are hoping to move this Saturday’s home match against Accrington Stanley to a different venue in South London.
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They then hope to return to Plough Lane, also known as the Cherry Red Records Stadium, for their clash with Carlisle on October 12.
Newcastle have donated £15,000 to Wimbledon to help them with their flooded pitch and sinkhole after a fundraiser was launched, with donations so far reaching over £100,000 at the time of writing.
The fourth-tier side will also receive 45 per cent of the gate revenue raised at St James’ Park next week.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
