One year on, thoughts on the 3G pitch

[eclipse]

Was wondering what other supporters views on the 3G pitch were after 1 full season now. Have you missed players caked in mud or the ball stopping dead in a pool of water? For me, definitely not, I think it encourages a better passing game and knowing the games will be on (snow excepted!) has been great. I think it was a shrewd decision by the directors to have it installed knowing the ground could be used 200+ days a year rather than 30+ for a grass pitch. Perhaps the question now for a lot of lower league teams and non league teams is not can you afford a 3G pitch but can you afford not to have one.

[Deleted]

It is noticeable coming into town seeing the floodlights on most evenings. Don't know what that means for finances, but it is good to see the ground being used all week. Love the playing surface, and cannot understand why the FA don't visit to see for themselves. It must be the way forward.

[steveh21]

I think the FA have been down to see it and are aware of the great things going on with 3G at Maidstone. They are not anti-3G by any means. After all, Wembley's pitch is 25% 4G!

[signalstone]

Was always sceptical at first, I was of the thinking that football has to be played on grass, end of.
During the first few games this season I went along with an open mind, and I must say my opinion has changed. There was a post on the Leatherhead forum after we played them that sums it up nicely "I noticed after about half an hour that none of the players were muddy, then I remembered we were playing on 3g "
It is absolutely no different to playing on grass, plus you get the added advantage of passing football and no postponements.
Watching games now I quite often forget the fact that the pitch is artificial.
On the financial side, for non league, as Bill says " its a no brainer"
Full marks to the club for this decision, lets hope the Conference see sense soon.

[pat1969]

I've played on it a few times on Wednesday nights and it's a great surface.

I think the general consensus pre-season from other teams' fans was that we would have an unfair advantage because of the pitch, but that hasn't been the case. We had a better away record and the third best home record overall. I think a lot of away teams enjoyed playing on it, as it allowed them to play better football on the floor. What was our advantage was the big crowds.

A resounding success, as it allowed almost all games to go ahead whereas other clubs including many higher in the football pyramid had to endure numerous postponements. Plus as has been mentioned, the added bonus of use of the pitch on many nights during the week.

[Deleted]

Funnily enough I think this is the key season for our 3G pitch. We've had the best part of the year continual use on it and it is showing some wear and tear (you ca pick up the pitch in places), I'm assuming its well maintained and they'll be looking after it at some point in the summer, just hoping it stands the test of time rather than reverts to a dodgy school standard plastic pitch. We're the poster boys for 3G pitches we need to make sure the quality of the surface continues to shine through.

That's my only worry, other than that haven't really noticed any difference (less bobbles / no mud excluded)

[spider90]

For me, the pitch is the best investment the club could have made. Having the opportunity to coach, kick about and generally use the pitch many times a week for me we couldn't have asked for anything better.

Not only has it held up all season and allowed us to continually to play and train when we have meant to (bar the one occasion of snow) but it has also brought in a great financial help to the club. We are a growing club on and off of the pitch and this pitch has enabled us to do so and has enabled us to increase our stature not just in the town but ultimately the county and the south east.

It has also enabled us to coach much better as well. Not only has it meant that many of our future teams and players have had the chance to train on a top quality surface it has also meant that many of these teams (and other local teams) have been able to play important matches on the pitch. In a psychological way this has also benefited us as many of the players want to step up their own game and performance as they want to play on the pitch as regular as possible. Thus in turn has also meant that we are able to look back at the 2012/13 season across all ages from Junior, Youth, Disability, Girls/Boys and the first team and have achieved a great number of honors and trophies.

[nws]

I can only agree with the above. The quality of matches have been better because teams have come and played football rather than lumping. It has often balanced the difference in league placings with some lower down teams coming and playing some nice, neat passing on it.

SO far it has proven to be a great decision

[moore06]

What's the plan for the pitch if we get promoted to Conference South. I think that we need to get that in place now, rather than wait and see. Any thoughts guys?

[signalstone]

May 25, 2013 15:29:07 GMT moore06 said:

What's the plan for the pitch if we get promoted to Conference South. I think that we need to get that in place now, rather than wait and see. Any thoughts guys?

3g thats the plan.

[Deleted]

Agreed, as had been discussed many times (DaveU doing the best job) the conference does NOT rule out a 3g surface, merely that they must approve it before accepting the club. Hopefully common sense will prevail...if it doesn't, then hopefully we'll get enough notice to deal with it should we need to

[headstone]

May 25, 2013 10:38:37 GMT nws said:

I can only agree with the above. The quality of matches have been better because teams have come and played football rather than lumping. It has often balanced the difference in league placings with some lower down teams coming and playing some nice, neat passing on it.

SO far it has proven to be a great decision

Except when it was us doing the lumping...