Rusthall’s weekend game was abandoned due to floodlight issues – but not before home striker Charlie Clover attempted to save the day.
The 28-year-old has become an internet sensation, after an image of his half-time attempts to get the lights working again went viral, pictured up a ladder trying to sort out the electrical problem.
Clover’s a sparky by trade and managed to get most of the lights back working. He’d already scored in the first half as the Rustics were 2-0 up against Cortinhian at their Jockey Farm Stadium.
The forward claimed the referee was happy to let the game continue, following his tinkering, but the opposition weren’t so keen, and so despite Clover’s best efforts – done without his toolkit – the match was abandoned at the break.
“Getting up there without any tools, it was more ‘could I have a look to see if there were any obvious issues?’” said the club’s star striker.
“I did what I could and managed to get 14 out of the 16 lights on. The ref and us felt there was sufficient enough light but the opposition didn’t.
“If one team isn’t happy, then the ref doesn’t have a decision. It’s out of his hands.”
Rusthall said that the light imbalance was “deemed too severe for competitive play” and added: “Supporters expressed disappointment but were largely understanding.”
Last season’s golden-boot winner, Clover added: “We had done so well in the first half, and I just tried to see if I could get the game back on.
“My manager didn’t ask me straight away, but I was keen to have a look. Everyone was having their say, and I just said, ‘Stick the ladder up and let me have a look.’ I had nothing, no tools. I was going up there blind.”
A picture of his efforts has now been viewed millions of times online. Supporters on Facebook praised his efforts, with several comments describing the situation as “peak non-league”
Clover said: “To be getting all these messages from around the world and all these platforms promoting it, it’s all been a bit crazy to be honest, and my own post was up to 3.5 million! It’s gone metal.
“I am up and down a ladder every day, I have been for the last 10 years, and the one time I do it in my football kit, it seems to have kicked off.
“Me and my cousin have our own company, JDH Electrical Ltd. We’ve got about 20-plus people working for us now and the boys greeted me on Monday morning by all pretending to take photos, it was quite a laugh coming onto site! Word went around very quickly.”
Clover is into double figures this season for goals but still some way off his tally of 31 he got last season.
“I’ve got some catching up to do but we’re sharing the goals out and the team’s doing better, so that’s good,” he said.
Rusthall sit third in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.
The Tunbridge Wells-based side expect to have their lights operational again when they host Chessington & Hook in the Challenge Cup next Wednesday.
Their lights are under warranty, and the suppliers are due to attend to sort the issues out, with Clover adding: “If they need me to help, I’m more than happy to do so!”
