OFFICIALS and players at Devizes Town Football Club experienced a sinking feeling this week which had nothing to do with their excellent performance in the league.

The extremely wet weather this year is being blamed for the return of a problem the club had thought was behind them a great big hole in the middle of the pitch.

Several years ago a hole opened up in the centre spot of the pitch at the Nursteed Road ground. It cost about £5,000 to repair it.

Now the subsidence has returned, but this time it extends right across the centre circle.

Club secretary Chris Dodd said: "It's definitely a drainage problem which has been caused by all the rain we've been having. We don't know what to do. We have approached our ground maintenance contractor and asked his advice.

"We're also talking to the FA in case we have to rearrange any fixtures."

The match due to be played at home against Dawlish on Saturday December 2 has been switched to the visitors' ground. The club is hoping to have the pitch repaired in time for the next scheduled home fixture against Westbury Town on Boxing Day. All youth matches scheduled to be played on the pitch have had to be cancelled.

It is hoped work can start next week to rectify the damage but it will depend on the weather drying up.

Acting chairman Mark Surman said: "We were planning to do some work on pitch drainage at the end of the season but this situation has meant it has had to be brought forward."

Local companies have come to the club's aid. Building firm Gaiger Brothers has loaned a tarpaulin to put over the hole, Roses Hire a digger and dumper truck, and J V Strong has advised on remedial work.

The subsidence is the third piece of bad news club officials have had over the past few weeks. In September, chairman Ron Moore announced pressure of work was forcing him to stand down.

Then discussions on sponsorship with local firm, Toft Foods, foundered, but the breach was quickly filled by another local company, Selectabook.

But the first team is well placed in the Screwfix Direct Western League Premier Division, while the reserve team currently tops the Wiltshire League and all the youth teams are also doing well.