MANCHESTER United took just one week to re-turf its pitch.

Bury Council on the other hand need more than a year as officials from Elton Fold Football Club are currently realising a month into the new soccer season.

The club have been told they cannot play on their King George V playing field ground as contractors have not completed the task of refurbishing and levelling the pitches as well as installing an improved drainage system.

The work, the club have been assured, will be finished by October 1.

John McDermott, manager of the club's Sunday team, said: "We were told by the council that the pitch would be ready for the beginning of the season. This was not the case and they keep putting us off. We have not played our first six home games on the pitch and it is costing us money to find alternative grounds.

"Before the work was carried out there was nothing wrong with the pitches. They were perfect. Now, they are full of bricks and stone and it is dangerous"

Last season the club, which has junior and senior sections, agreed to keep off the pitches after the local authority announced the start of up-grading work to pitches around the borough.

Mr McDermott added: "Surely it doesn't take a year to improve a soccer pitch."

The council has confirmed the pitches off Newbold Street will be playable in the next two weeks although wet weather has hindered the operation.

Mr Neil Long, customer services manager for the local authority, said: "This has been a big job and the weather has not helped. When the site becomes water-logged the heavy machinery cannot go on the field.

"Also, the area was a former land-fill site and bricks and rubble have been brought to the surface during the drainage work. A large amount of top soil has also been used to level the pitches and there has been settlement which needed topping-up.

"We have remained in consultation with the club throughout the work and everyone is in agreement that no club should play on the site until a final inspection takes place before the end of the month."

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