Rye’s FA Vase date dashed

The Quarterboys have been drawn at home to Chalfont St Peter on Saturday November 13 and listed The Salts as the venue on the match arrangements form which had to be with the FA by last Friday.

But Chalfont have since voiced their concerns to the FA over the suitability of The Salts as a venue in terms of health and safety, and ground grading.

The FA told Rye that if the match were to be played at The Salts, they would have to carry out a full inspection of the ground a week beforehand which might highlight a few ground grading queries, such as disabled access.

Rye chairman Clive Taylor said: “I’m not saying it wouldn’t pass it, but it might be doubtful. It’s a shame because I had my heart set on it really, but I can see their point really because there might be a few issues.”

The search is now under way for an alternative venue, but Taylor says it will be somewhere in Sussex. The Culverden Stadium - which Rye have used for two home matches so far - is out of the question because Tunbridge Wells have a home FA Vase tie on the same date.

Rye have, of course, been unable to use The Salts this season as a result of the arson attack which destroyed the Sidney Allnutt Pavilion back in August.

See tomorrow’s Rye Observer for the full story.