These playing surfaces can be used every day of the week and bring vital new income streams.
Before I analyse the advantages in detail with a couple of case studies, I want to address the fact that there is strong opposition to 3G from many people – particularly around the Football League.
EFL rules meant that Harrogate Town had to rip up their 3G and replace it with a grass pitch during the summer after winning promotion from the National League.
This is in spite of the fact that important World Cup, Champions League and FA Cup games have been played on 3G. So why do we have so much resistance to it in this country? I believe the reason for this is because football folk have very long memories! They can still vividly recollect the rumpus that arose when the first wave of artificial pitches were installed in England back in the 1980’s.
Queens Park Rangers were the notorious pioneers during the 1981/82 season. The first problem recalled is that QPR brazenly laid the ‘Omniturf’ pitch without seeking any approval or permission from the footballing authorities.
Terry Venables, who was manager at Loftus Road back then, once told me: “My chairman Jim Gregory had always been worried about the terrible problems we had with our original grass pitch. We couldn’t get the drainage right. Even on a fairly nice day, it would always be like a quagmire.
“Jim just didn’t know what to do. Whatever he spent, he couldn’t seem to solve the problem. So he said to me: ‘What about a plastic pitch?’ We chatted for a while and it was a big step forward. And he said: ‘There are no rules to say we can’t!’
Bu hikaye The Non-League Football Paper dergisinin November 29, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Non-League Football Paper dergisinin November 29, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
PILGRIMS' PERFECT DAY SEALED BY CAM
BOSTON United won their second penalty shoot-out in four days as they overhauled second-placed Scunthorpe United to earn their place in the National League North play-off final.
Spirit of Angelo's Iron keeps dream alive
ANGELO HARROP hailed calm heads as Braintree Town hauled themselves off the ropes after Chelmsford City's late comeback to land an extra-time knock-out and reach the Promotion Final.
UNITED BID IS SUNK BY WATERS' WINNER!
ASHTON UNITED'S lingering play-off hopes were finally extinguished at Hurst Cross as the visitors secured their own place with a deserved victory.
PREECE'S KEEPING IT REAL!
ANDY PREECE doesn't want his Chorley side to forget how good season has been to this point and urged them to use that belief at Brackley Town.
STONES STILL ROLLING ON!
Gist EORGE Elokobi insists his Maidstone United side are not in danger of succumbing to fatigue as they look to complete a marathon season on a high.
ACE JACK LEADS A HORNETS HURRAH
HORSHAM managed to muster the energy in their 60th game of the season to finally breast the tape and secure a topfive finish in what was already the finest season in the club's history.
RUSSELL ENDS ON A EURO MISSION
Italy adventure is fitting for Rooks boss
COMMUNITY WILL UNITE TO HELP HEED ON A LONG ROAD AHEAD
Local pride can heal the pain of play-off snub
EMOTION LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Critics gave us no chance, says Cousins
SAM'S IN THE STONES ZONE
UPBEAT music, positive messages only and even group prayers - Sam Cox says Wealdstone's survival story is something to be proud of.