Hopping Rules: Have Your Say – What if the pitch is relocated?

Sometimes where clubs play on a large open complex there may be situations where an alternative pitch (to the main one) is used. This might be due to adverse weather conditions, a double-booking or maybe the site is not yet ready to play on. Does the use of a ‘second pitch’ count?

21/11/05 from Web Ed: At the start of the season I attended a Herts Senior County League Division One game between Knebworth and Allenburys Sports (3-0) at Watton Road. As the cricket square was still needed for one more match, it meant that the football club had to relocate temporarily and make use of a second pitch for this game. The alternative was an area some 200 yards away on the opposite side of the playing fields. I watched the game but will make a re-visit at a later stage in the season when the main pitch, which is fully railed off next to the new changing room complex, is used.