Post by bunny on Jan 4, 2013 10:03:06 GMT
From a Sutton supporter on the Connie South Forum: -
The disappointments we suffered over Christmas with two home games called off were a timely reminder of the debate that is brewing over the use of modern, 3G pitches for senior football in the UK. Maidstone United give glowing reports of the 3G surface installed in their new stadium but at present these surfaces may not be used in the Football Conference, Football League or Premiership although they can be used in the FA Trophy and qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. The two arguments against their adoption would seem to be the quality of the surface for professional football, although of course these pitches have already been used for games in the European Championships and Champions League, and the barriers to promotion that would be erected if the league above did not allow 3G pitches. The arguments in favour of wider use of 3G pitches include:- The pitches provide good, true and reliable surfaces that encourage "good" football The pitches can be played on in almost all weather conditions. For non-league clubs in particular cancellations can cause severe problems in terms of cash-flow and wasted expenditure. Pitches can be used by for training as well as matches and can also be hired out to bring in extra revenue. Of course, 3G pitches are expensive and they do not last forever and they do require maintenance. Subject to levels of usage, the surface will need major renovation after 8-10 years but this cost is significantly lower than the original installation cost.
The irony of seeing our games against Bromley and Welling fall to the weather was not lost on us, as a little before Christmas we had written to the Football Conference asking for the matter to be discussed at the earliest opportunity and also wrote to every other club in the competition's three divisions to solicit their support. This does not mean that we would automatically install a 3G pitch at the Lane as soon as they become allowable in the competition in which we are playing, there are many factors to consider not least the initial cost, but we would like the option. Sutton United has a long track-record of being at the forefront of innovation. We were one of the first amateur clubs to form a limited company, one of the first to install floodlights and also to employ professional coaches. We were also strong advocates of the formation of the Conference North and South divisions. We believe the time has come for the game to take it's next major step forwards.
The disappointments we suffered over Christmas with two home games called off were a timely reminder of the debate that is brewing over the use of modern, 3G pitches for senior football in the UK. Maidstone United give glowing reports of the 3G surface installed in their new stadium but at present these surfaces may not be used in the Football Conference, Football League or Premiership although they can be used in the FA Trophy and qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. The two arguments against their adoption would seem to be the quality of the surface for professional football, although of course these pitches have already been used for games in the European Championships and Champions League, and the barriers to promotion that would be erected if the league above did not allow 3G pitches. The arguments in favour of wider use of 3G pitches include:- The pitches provide good, true and reliable surfaces that encourage "good" football The pitches can be played on in almost all weather conditions. For non-league clubs in particular cancellations can cause severe problems in terms of cash-flow and wasted expenditure. Pitches can be used by for training as well as matches and can also be hired out to bring in extra revenue. Of course, 3G pitches are expensive and they do not last forever and they do require maintenance. Subject to levels of usage, the surface will need major renovation after 8-10 years but this cost is significantly lower than the original installation cost.
The irony of seeing our games against Bromley and Welling fall to the weather was not lost on us, as a little before Christmas we had written to the Football Conference asking for the matter to be discussed at the earliest opportunity and also wrote to every other club in the competition's three divisions to solicit their support. This does not mean that we would automatically install a 3G pitch at the Lane as soon as they become allowable in the competition in which we are playing, there are many factors to consider not least the initial cost, but we would like the option. Sutton United has a long track-record of being at the forefront of innovation. We were one of the first amateur clubs to form a limited company, one of the first to install floodlights and also to employ professional coaches. We were also strong advocates of the formation of the Conference North and South divisions. We believe the time has come for the game to take it's next major step forwards.