However, a certain amount of sympathy has to be given to the under-pressure officials of the company as the weather has played a more than significant part in pitches being less than perfect, as the following statement from Edinburgh Leisure explains.

"August has been officially classed the wettest on record and the heavy rain that fell had a dramatic effect on all city-wide ground maintenance standards but, in particular, sport provisions were badly affected.

"The exceptional rainfall caused very difficult ground conditions for maintenance staff to cope with. Increased rain during August meant increased grass growth and this led to very wet and soft ground conditions, making grass cutting by tractor very difficult.

"Many sites had to be left uncut due to the very wet ground conditions. Cutting during this type of wet period can cause significant damage to the surface and, where applicable, staff were informed not to cut if any damage was anticipated.

"The marking of sports pitches was also affected and staff marking pitches in the morning returned to sites in the afternoon to find lines washed out.

"All efforts were taken to ensure sports provisions throughout the city were met but if clubs continue to experience problems in this area, contact: pitchmaintenance@edinburgh.gov.uk"

It would also be helpful if there was a bit more common sense from both clubs and Edinburgh Leisure in the letting of pitches when the weather has been so bad.

Understandably, clubs are desperate for a game and Edinburgh Leisure need the income but there is always a solution to every problem.

Instead of Edinburgh Leisure bringing the season to a close on a specified date (usually at the end of April) surely they can extend the season like last season so associations can complete their programmes.

Give and take, coming and going and a little bit of common sense would do an awful lot to break down the animosity between all sides involved in the hiring of pitches in the Edinburgh area.