It was no joke when a Royal Navy helicopter had to make an unscheduled landing on the pitch during Bridgwater Town's clash with Elmore in Somerset.
Snow, fog, torrential rain and the occasional pitch invasion have all led to the abandonment of football matches in the past.
But it was the first time a helicopter has been blamed.
The Sea Lynx, with a crew of two on board, astonished the 200 spectators at the Screwfix Premier Division clash when it began to descend on to the middle of the floodlit pitch during half time.
The Bridgwater team were even more amazed when the pilot strode over and asked: "What time do you kick off?"
Manager Jon Bowering said: "One of lads was out warming up at half time and he came running out saying a helicopter was landing on the pitch.
"We thought he was winding us up but then the pilot came up and asked what time we were kicking off.
"We had to tell him it was half time.
"He said he had developed hydraulic problems and had to put the helicopter down as a precaution. I think he saw the floodlights and thought it would be the best place."
Unusual landing
The pilot told officials he might have to wait for engineers to arrive from the Royal Naval air base at Yeovilton, so the game was abandoned.
Fortunately the score was 0-0 at the time.
Mr Bowering said: "The helicopter left without the engineers having to come out but we had no choice but to abandon the game because we just didn't know.
"It was a big helicopter and it's left two big dents in the pitch. I don't think the groundsman is very pleased."
A spokesman for 815 Squadron based at Yeovilton said the pilot had to land quickly in a suitable area because of a warning of a hydraulic problem.
"The pilot saw a perfect flat pitch, which was clear of people and made a successful landing.
"I can't think of a previous occasion when a helicopter has landed on a football pitch like this.
"All credit to the pilot who followed the procedure to the book."
After a check-up, it was found there were no hydraulic problems and the Lynx took off again 40 minutes later.