A football match had to be abandoned due to foul play – but it is dog walkers, not players, who face the red card.

Two buckets of dogs’ mess were cleared from the pitch at Marden, which has been labelled an embarrassment by the team based there.

Kick-off between Marden Minors and Lenham Wanderers had already been delayed for five minutes while the pitch was cleared of the waste, which filled half a bucket.

Play was stopped three times to remove even more muck before the game was called off.

Senior county referee Mick Foy eventually stopped play for health and safety reasons 16 minutes into the Maidstone and District Football League Premier Division match.

"It is embarrassing and frustrating. We are a great little team and I would be devastated to lose it..." - Mick Foy

Marden Minors manager Anthony Hollamby said the mess had been a problem at the Edward Day Memorial Ground all season, down to a minority of irresponsible dog owners.

He said: “It is embarrassing and frustrating. We are a great little team and I would be devastated to lose it.

"But I’m sure that working with Marden Parish Council and the environmental team at Maidstone Borough Council we will be back playing our three remaining fixtures at our home.”

Mr Foy also complained of the state of the Rookery Path ground, including ruts, divots and uneven length grass.

In a letter to the league, he said: “I have never seen a ground in such poorly maintained condition and to think a football club pays good money for privilege of using a facility like this is absolutely criminal.

“In its current condition it would not be fit for purpose in any football league.”

League secretary Ted Towner added: “It’s not just the footballers I’m worried about, there is a children’s play area just 20 yards away. Children could get it in their eyes.”

He added that it was uncertain as to where Marden Minors would play their home games if the pitch is not cleaned up by their next match, and said he hoped it would not jeopardise the club’s future.