Artificial Synthetic Pitches in line for a return to The Football League
English football league clubs could be making a shock return to artificial pitches.
The FA outlawed the synthetic surfaces in 1988 because of complaints over injuries and the overall quality of the surface, leading to dire standards of games
Wycombe Wanderers are one club that wish to re-introduce the pitches which can help with postponed games in winter because of the weather.
Wycombe vice-chairman Brian Kane said: “When I first started talking to people about this, they thought about the old pitches.”
“At one point, I thought a move towards a return to artificial surfaces would never happen but I sense that has changed now. Within 10 years, we will see quite a number of pitches.”
Only three teams in both Irish leagues have artificial pitches installed. Dundalk are the only team from the south, whilst Cliftonville and Crusaders are the only Carling Premiership teams with fake grass pitches.
Back in March former Republic of Ireland manager John Giles called on Irish clubs to introduce synthetic surfaces.
“I think it would be a good idea if all the clubs go (with) artificial surfaces. They’re not like they were years ago when it was like a carpet and it was bouncy and it wasn’t good. When you look at that pitch tonight (Dundalk’s pitch), I’d say it would be excellent to play on,” said Giles.
The issue in England is set to be raised in February when the clubs meet in a general meeting, but Championship clubs are set to oppose any such move.
Brambledown, based in the North of England have over 40 years experience of laying synthetic Sports pitches to Sport England Standard. With the improvements made in 3g pitches to date, Brambledown have dedicated lots of time and energy into developing a specialist Sport and Play division who are expert installers and also able to maintain the synthetic pitches throughout the year. This year alone Brambledown have installed 7 synthetic pitches across the North East including Durham Sunderland and Newcastle and believe it will only be a matter of time before the football league consider the possibility of allowing these wonderful new pitches into the league.
Synthetic Pitches, which Brambledown install, have become so realistic, safe and playable that they are used right across Europe and allow clubs to use them for events such as concerts and other sports outside of the football season. The Synthetic pitches such as those which Brambledown install have improved significantly in quality over the years. Examples of synthetic pitch use have been seen in some international and Champions League fixtures in Russia.
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