MINEHEAD'S bid to become the tug of war capital of the country has left local footballers floundering. The heavyweight tactics of competitors taking part in the Tug of War Association's national championships on the town's football pitch six weeks ago left the ground rutted and nothing short of "a disaster area", it was claimed this week. Now, despite pledges from civic leaders to take any action needed to bring the condition of the pitch up to scratch, a question mark hangs over whether it will be fit in time for the Western League First Division club's first home game of the season in just a fortnight's time. And if fixtures have to be postponed because of the state of the pitch, the club could face a fine or be forced to play any postponed matches away from home. Town councillors, who lease the Irnham Road ground to the club, pledged on Wednesday night to take any action necessary to improve the pitch. But they admitted that with such a tight timescale, only limited measures could be taken. Club committee member Rosemary Lawson, who met Minehead Mayor Nick Messarra on Monday to show him the damage and has also raised her concerns with West Somerset MP Ian Liddell- Grainger, told councillors at their full council meeting that before the tug of war event, the club had a very satisfactory ground. "But we are now very concerned about the state of the pitch," she said. "In addition to the first team, we have children's teams needing to use the ground. "The tug of war has left huge ruts in the pitch. It is an absolute disaster area." Another club volunteer, Charlie Griffiths, told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday) that tug of war organisers had originally agreed to reinstate the pitch after the championships but pulled out of the deal just a few days before the event. Mr Griffiths said the result had been arguments between the club and the council over who was responsible for putting right the damage, meaning nothing was done for another fortnight. Although parts of the ground had been re-seeded a month ago, it had not been watered, resulting in little if any improvement in the condition. Both Mr Griffiths and Mrs Lawson said the club was now deeply concerned about the prospect of the town hosting the European tug of war championships in 2007, which are due to take place over four days in September, when the football season will be underway. Cllr Messarra told fellow councillors on Wednesday that immediately after the meeting with Mrs Lawson he had authorised more re-seeding but he warned that footballers would have to keep off the area and should not be using it for training. He said slabs of turf put down by the club's groundsman would be removed because they had not "taken" and would not be allowed under Football Association rules. "We are doing everything we can," said Cllr Messarra. Cllr Stan Taylor said he had been "very annoyed" when the tug of war organisers had gone back on their original verbal agreement to put right any damage. "But there was very little we could do. However, we will have to make sure that the ground is re-turfed after the 2007 event." Cllr Taylor said he believed some of the problems had arisen because there was a disagreement between the council's grounds staff and the club's groundsman as to how to repair the damage. "Our staff wanted to re-seed the area and the club groundsman favoured putting down turf. "I think there is blame on both sides - we weren't quick enough off the mark and the club is still using the area." Cllr Taylor admitted the pitch was now very patchy, with several brown areas. "If the seed had gone down the day after the championships, I think it would be fine by now. "For a first class football match, it is probably not in a good enough condition." Cllr Simon Stokes said it was only right that if an activity that the council had sponsored had damaged the ground, then the council should put it right. "But this is a public park and lots of people go there to play, so it may be difficult to ensure that this re- seeded area is not used in the next fortnight. "It may not be the football club which is actually using it now - it will be very difficult to police." Cllr Stephen Dear said the council had a problem because he did not believe the pitch would be ready in a fortnight. And Cllr Martyn Snell added: "My concern is that the club will have football matches postponed if the pitch is not fit and that will incur them a fine." In a separate move the council has agreed that wider issues involving the club, including its forthcoming bid to renew a temporary public entertainment licence, the condition of the buildings and stadium and its financial standing, will be looked at by a five-strong working group over the next few weeks.