Marine vs Dunston suspended as player leaves pitch to fix broken floodlights

Daniel Brown

Give this man a medal for his efforts

Marine FC’s FA Trophy tie against Dunston UTS was suspended due to broken floodlights, with Dunston midfielder Phil Turnbull leaving the pitch to eventually fix the lights.

The game was called to a stop just after half-time when the floodlights at the Marine Travel Arena cut-out, with Marine taking to Twitter to announce the stoppage in play.

51’

A stoppage in play as the floodlights at the Marine Travel Arena have gone off.

⚪️0-0🔴

— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) November 13, 2021

The Mariners stated that there would be an additional update to follow, informing supporters that an electrician was looking at the issue.

However, the electrician wasn’t just anybody – it was Dunston midfielder Phil Turnbull, who works as electrician for his full-time job.

The 34-year-old – who has previously played for Hartlepool United – is described on Dunston’s website as a ‘fiercely competitive player’ and he was quick to try and help out with the situation, with the midfielder also calling one of his mates, potentially looking for advise on the issue.

At Marine, where the floodlights have gone out. One of Dunston’s midfielders is a spark and he’s trying to sort it out. Now on the phone to a mate back in the north east. pic.twitter.com/pBneS6DmCA

— Simon Hughes (@Simon_Hughes__) November 13, 2021

Marine, who famously hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup in January 2021, were keen to express their gratitude for Turnbull’s efforts.

Thanks to @dunstonutsfc player Philip Turnbull for attempting to fix our floodlights. https://t.co/Zy2rDqKLWW

— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) November 13, 2021

However, he was put under immense pressure with the referee announcing that if the issue wasn’t sorted by 5pm, the game would have to be cancelled.

The referee has given a deadline of 5pm for the floodlights to work.

— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) November 13, 2021

Despite this, Turnbull worked his magic and was able to sort the technical issue out, with the game finally being able to continue after the floodlights were fixed.