HUNDREDS of footballers will be left high and dry after Medway Council decided to call a sudden halt to the start of the new season.

Medway Messenger Sunday League and Rochester & District League officials have been told that fixtures due to be played on council pitches this weekend and next weekend, when both leagues kick-off, are cancelled because of the state of the pitches. The council feels they are unsafe.

Unless there is "appreciable rainfall" soon there could be further cancellations.

This news will cause a major headache to clubs and administrators alike with the leagues starting with a backlog before the winter programme, the time when pitches are usually at most risk, and there could be trouble ahead.

Terry Lawrence, Rochester & District League secretary, said he was suprised and disappointed by the timing of the decission.

He said: "I have never known anything like it.

"We have two league games and friendlies this weekend and practically a full programme the weekend after. We were told by the council their pitches were parched, bone dry and badly cracked and unless there was considerable rainfall, then the pitches could not be played on.

"I'm disappointed the council didn't keep us informed. They should have warned us this was a possibilty and we could have made alternative plans.

"Presumably, if there is no appreciable rainfall then the fixtures for the following weekend could also be in jeopardy."

Medway Messenger Sunday League fixtures secretary Tony Smith added: "Losing matches is something we usually have to face in December or January. It's unusual to have this issue at the start of the season but we will deal with it.

"However, of over 50 fixtures on the opening weekend of the season, approximately two thirds are played on council pitches so it isn't ideal."

A Medway Council spokesperson said: "The council has asked clubs to stop playing on the 80 pitches it looks after for two weeks. The lack of rain has made the pitches extremely hard and could be dangerous for players.

"The council fears players could be injured and the pitches will be damaged even further.

"The council has taken this decision because it wants to ensure the pitches are in good shape for the rest of the season. The situation will be reviewed once the two-week period is over."