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A football match on remote island of South Georgia takes place on 'worst pitch in the world'

Home> Football

Updated 17:32 27 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 12:14 26 Jan 2023 GMT

A football match on remote island of South Georgia takes place on 'worst pitch in the world'

The match took place on the remote island of South Georgia in the South Atlantic.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

A fixture involving the Royal Navy took place on a pitch described as the worst in the world, although some Sunday League players may disagree with that sweeping statement.

Earlier this month, sailors from the Royal Navy battled against rain, snow, and gale-force winds when they came up against the British Antarctic Survey staff.

The playing field at Grytviken in the South Atlantic was described as "uneven, unmown and boggy" is billed as the most southerly in the world, and is some 2,476 miles from the South Pole.

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So why did it happen? Before departing the island on their most recent patrol, the Navy ship’s team challenged a select South Georgia XI drawn from government and British Antarctic Survey staff.

Ray Houghton, who is the Royal Navy's leading physical trainer, organised the event.

“It was fantastic to get the opportunity to play on the most southerly football pitch in the world,” he said.

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“Regardless of the score, it was about getting our people off the ship, enjoying themselves and creating an experience they can look back on with fond memories. We are very grateful to South Georgia’s government for being such good hosts.”

In the end, the sailors went down 2-1 to the home side, who were "better suited" to the tough conditions.

Image credit: Royal Navy/Facebook
Image credit: Royal Navy/Facebook
Image credit: Royal Navy/Facebook
Image credit: Royal Navy/Facebook

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Here's how fans reacted to the pitch on social media.

One said: "Played there against BAS with the team from Antarctic Endurance 2016 - it is truly a dreadful pitch, mostly because the locals knew where the boggy areas were, which resulted in the ball stopping dead!"

Another said: "Played football there in 1984 on HMS Herald, there was only 18 inches of the goal showing, the rest under the snow. Also played at San Carlos in 84 next to a minefield."

A third commented: "Classic FA Cup tie conditions. Those guys could certainly do it on a wet Tuesday night in Stoke."

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Image credit: Royal Navy/Facebook
Image credit: Royal Navy/Facebook

Thoughts on the so-called 'worst pitch in the world' in South Georgia? Have you played on worse?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: Royal Navy

Topics: Football

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

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@jackkenmare_

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