COLCHESTER United’s head groundsman David Blacknall has vowed to do everything in his power to help improve the playing surface at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The U’s pitch has been criticised following the televised derby against Southend United on Monday night.

Shrimpers manager Steve Tilson said the state of the playing surface was “shocking” in the build up to Monday’s game, which Colchester won 2-0.

And Blues skipper Adam Barrett said it was the “worst I’ve ever played on in the professional game.”

The pitch has taken a battering over the last few months, following the harsh wintry conditions in north Essex.

Blacknall boasts more than 25 successful years of working in the industry.

And while he admitted that the pitch is not in its best state, Blacknall stressed he will do everything he can to improve things ahead of the U’s next home clash against Oldham Athletic on February 20.

Blacknall said: “The pitch is awful — I feel sorry for the players because they are all very skilful and it’s not easy for them at the moment.

“And I feel sorry for the supporters, because they’re paying money to watch top-class football.

“But myself and (assistant groundsman) Steve Parker and everyone at the club are trying everything we can to make things better.

“In the short term, we’re waiting for it to dry out so that we can do immediate work on it. That’s the first thing we have to do.

“At the moment, we can’t get the machinery on it that we want. I’m just waiting for some growing weather and hopefully, that will be soon.”