Mascots for first match

[A Rebel and a Saint]

The Club is running several competitions both internally and in the local media to try and find 22 mascots for the first game at Arbour Park. The Express are the first ones out of the blocks but it's also been offered to the Observer and one of the local Berkshire radio stations I believe. I think the Club will have spaces up for grabs too. So encourage anyone you know to enter - but be aware there's a need for 3g suitable footwear.

[Reading Rebel]

Excellent that the local papers are getting involved with mascots and signed shirts etc, the more publicity the better.

 

When Arbour Park gets handed over to the council on Monday/Tuesday next week it'll be another great chance to get some more publicity. Do we know if anything special is being organised as regards the official opening of phase one?

 

As regards special footware for 3G it seems it's a bit more complex.

 

I've had a look on line and it seems it will depend on the type of 3G surface.

 

From what I can gather a Long pile surface is suitable for Screw in studs and moulded but not trainers and not ideal for blades.

 

A sand filled surface is not suitable for screw ins, moulded or blades and trainers are not ideal. 

[GlenSTFC]

RR I know it's difficult but be strong and just accept you're not going to be a mascot.

[Windsor Rebel]

Reading Rebel: dig a pair of your old school shorts out if you want to be a mascot.

[staines_rebel_Jr]

Footwear for mascots won't really be s problem as they are only on the pitch for a few minutes, as long as the shoes are clean they will be fine.

[GlenSTFC]

Oh that'll be music to RR's ears!

[A Rebel and a Saint]

No, as stated on the entry conditions they have to be 3g suitable shoes - council rules, not ours. Same with anyone who will go onto that pitch.

[Curtis]

For those thinking of taking up the mascot option, and possibly being put off by thinking the appropriate footwear could make it too expensive, would something like this (£9.99) be acceptable:-

 

http://www.sportsdirect.com/sondico-neosa-kids-astro-turf-trainers-080152?colcode=08015244&src=google&gclid=COrPkv71u84CFZcV0wodzN0DuQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[staines_rebel_Jr]

- have a pair of football boots/football trainers suitable for 3G pitch

 

 

That is the statement on the club website. If you want to fully respect the 3G pitch then NO trainers are suitable for use as they will flatten the grass and damage the pitch. the ONLY footwear suitable are football boots with plastic studs which are kept clean. However, being realistic, if you are just being a mascot (small child) who is going to be on the pitch for 4-5 minutes then it really doesn't matter what shoes you wear as long a they are clean.

 

 

The most damaging thing to a 3G pitch is dirt !!!

[HorshamRebel]

None of that matters SRJ, as the rules of THIS ground set by the council is that no-one is allowed on the pitch unless they have 3G shoes on.

 

 

Yes, it is possible to walk on 3G pitches with clean trainers etc, on, but the rules for this pitch have been laid down, that they are not allowed on this one. 

[staines_rebel_Jr]

despite they have said trainers are acceptable when they are not "3G shoes".

[David Carpenter]

I think there needs to be formal clarification from the football club rather than individual conjecture. The last thing we want to do is upset the landlords on the first day of use (or ay other days!)

[HorshamRebel]

SRJ

 

 direct quote e STFC wepage : have a pair of football boots/football trainers suitable for 3G pitch

 

So yes trainers are acceptable, IF they are suitable for a 3G pitch, have the correct tread, as you can get both boots and trainers for  3G pitch

[GlenSTFC]

What about they wear no footwear will that still ruin it?

[staines_rebel_Jr]

SRJ

 

 direct quote e STFC wepage : have a pair of football boots/football trainers suitable for 3G pitch

 

So yes trainers are acceptable, IF they are suitable for a 3G pitch, have the correct tread, as you can get both boots and trainers for  3G pitch

Trainers are not and have never been suitable for a 3G pitch! They have a flat bottom and will flatten the artificial grass.

 

Astro trainers are only suitable for astro turf and not 3G!

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Can we not just focus on the important things here like what the Club is trying to do here.

 

They specifically need to be shoes suitable for 3g pitch, end of and there is nothing we can do to change it.

 

Please encourage plenty of people to enter via the various channels.

[Curtis]

Astro trainers are only suitable for astro turf and not 3G!

What???

 

Not according to this guide:-

 

http://www.5-a-side.com/reviews/the-5-a-side-football-boots-guide/

[staines_rebel_Jr]

What???

 

Not according to this guide:-

 

http://www.5-a-side.com/reviews/the-5-a-side-football-boots-guide/

They might be better for the wearer but they are not good for the pitch itself.

 

I recently did a report as part of my degree about making non league football grounds more eco friendly and a big part of that was looking at the pitch, grass vs artificial. Meaning I did a lot of research into 3G pitches and from that it was very evident that footwear was very important to the life of the 3G pitch. Most pitches are expected to last 10 years but many which are not looked after only last about 5-7 years and this is often because of the footwear worn by players. Full metal studs, non studded (including Astro boots) and dirty footwear are the worst thing for any 3G pitch.

Edited August 12, 2016 by staines_rebel_Jr

[Curtis]

We better start advising opposition players specifically what footwear is acceptable then... otherwise the Council might be refusing to allow some of them access to the pitch!!

[David Carpenter]

I agree Curtis - as per my earlier post. If the Council are specifying the acceptable footwear why can't that specification be published? Not arguing with the knowledgeable comments of SJR etc. - just seems to me that a proper statement needs to be forthcoming. Anyone going to the Hendon tournament could have seen how poor the pitch was there.