Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding has confirmed that the club will be carrying out drainage work on the Amlin Stadium pitch this summer, but fans will have to appreciate that it will come at a cost.

Last weekend’s Blue Square Bet Premier game against Lincoln City was the latest fixture that had to be postponed this season because of a waterlogged pitch and the club is hoping Saturday’s home clash with Hereford United won’t go the same way.

Incredibly high rainfall levels over the last six months and the area’s clay soil that prevents moisture from naturally draining away have left the water table very high around the ground and it doesn’t take much fresh moisture to leave the pitch unplayable.

But Harding has been quick to praise the hard work by volunteers at the club to try to overcome the hurdles and said how much their efforts are valued.

He said digging up the pitch mid-season wasn’t an option but does expect drainage work to be done this summer, however, the cash will have to be found from the tight budget.

“We have plans in place so that immediately after the last home game, which is scheduled to be on April 13, we will be digging the pitch up and putting in new drainage,” said Harding.

“We are getting costs at the moment, but the unfortunate thing is that money won’t be spent on other things."

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full version of this story and all the latest news and exclusive views from the Iron.