Macarthur coach Ante Milicic says he can’t put a date on when his team will be able to play an A-League Men fixture at their home ground.
Sunday’s season-opener against Wellington had to be played at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium after a pitch inspection on Friday revealed Campbelltown Stadium’s surface to be unplayable.
Campbelltown City Council has blamed low temperatures and high rainfall for the failure of several patches of newly laid grass from bedding in and growing.
There are now fears the entire pitch may have to be relaid, which would force the Bulls to move several more home games to other venues.
Speaking after his team’s 1-1 draw with the Phoenix, Milicic said the situation leaves him with an additional challenge to make sure his playing group is focused.
“I couldn’t put a timeframe on how long but all I can say is that I was there on Friday and it looked a long way off,” Milicic said.
“When we’ll be back there, that’s something for the stadium and the club to to work on.
“I’ve got a bigger job obviously with my staff to get the playing group focused and to concentrate on the performances that are in front of us.”
The Bulls will travel to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday to play Sydney FC with their next scheduled home match to be against Central Coast on December 5.
It seems highly unlikely that game will be played at Campbelltown, in what is the latest setback to Macarthur after a pre-season marred by difficulties.
The club lost four matches to A-League Men opponents in the pre-season and suffered the shock retirement of goalkeeper and captain Adam Federici last month just days after assistant coach and former captain Mark Milligan quit his role.
“Wherever we play, home or away, whatever the opposition is, we need to make sure that we’re as best prepared as we possibly can to put on a good performance,” Milicic said.
“I think under the circumstances we did OK (on Sunday).”