A SALISBURY football team has been shortlisted in a national competition that aims to find the worst amateur pitch in the country.

South Newton and Wishford United FC have progressed to the final five in Briggs & Stratton’s Pitch to Win competition which rewards a club with the poorest playing surface in Britain with a healthy grant.

The Stoford Recreation Ground has been unusable and as water has receded the extent of the damage has become visible. Until recently, the ground has been underwater for most of the 2014 season and the team had to face the expense of indoor practices and travelling to rearranged away games. The bad weather had caused grass to die and large areas of pitch to be washed away leaving potholes in the surface.

The severe flooding even led to South Newton making drastic alternations to their kit. The team created a flood proof football strip to help them face the wet conditions with the young players turning up to practice with snorkels, rubber rings, flippers and even a surf board.

But if they win the competition they will receive a £3000 pitch makeover while two runners up will receive £500 for the club kitty. All three teams will also receive a year’s |sponsorship and new kit.