Margate Stadium to have Plastic pitch

[hartgeman]

Margate could become the first club in the country to have a space-age plastic pitch at there new stadium.

Gate are contemplating installing the "third generation" surface, which could be used all year round and in all weather conditions.

The surface is far removed from the plastics of the eagties at grounds like Oldham and Luton, where players complained of skin burns and exaggerated bounce. It has been sanctioned for use in UAFA compertitions,and the Nationwide Conferance is thought to be considering wheather to allow them at there noxt meeting.

Currently no English side has a plastic pitch as no league has yet given the green light for them to be used - the nearest is at Dumfermline's East End Park.

Gate have revealed they are considering using plastic rather than than grass. Manager Chris Kinnear said: "It's something that we'd be looking at, and it is worth findig out more about.

"I played on theold ones and they were bad, but at least the games got played.

But the new ones aren't much different to grass, but can be used several times a week."

"I will have a say in weather it's grass or plastic - it's to do with the playing side, and that's what I'm in charge of," explained Kinnear. "Ican ask anything about the stadium, and we've had discussions about the changing rooms."

FA spokesman Nick Barron said:"UEFA have now sanctioned them for use in their competions.

"First and formast it will be down to the leagues to decide wheather they allow them - then we would allmost certainly follow suit.

"The UEFA verdict seems to show that there will be no greater risk of injery and that ball behaviour will not be affected."

[P.W.]

[color:"blue"]Perhaps it could mean the First Team and a Reserves side could play on it and we could offer Ramsgate a ground share so they could take early promotion.

[michael]

Maybe the club could train at Margate at least once a week aswell.

 

If it happens, i wonder if this would create problems in attracting players if all of a sudden, training aswell as matches were at Margate.

[Guest]

plastic pitch at margate is a no no.as a professional groundsperson who has nearly 40 years experience in this field of work i have seen these sort of surfaces ruined within four years of them being laid, they can never be repaired properly once they 've sustained damage.

Cost of repair is very high and would be false economy for the club. perhaps the club would like to consult me on this matter and i could point them in the right direction at no cost to the club. Apart from a weeks wages on a regular basis.

Yours Growingly

Grass seed <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/tongue2.gif" alt="" />

[michael]

Maybe durability of pitch has also significantly improved over last few years.

 

I'm up for a plastic fantastic.

 

Do i feel a poll coming on ?

[blueblood]

I do'nt know enough about the modern plastic pitch to make a comment on its qualities.But reading CK's comments on its uses(upto 4 games a week). I am sure we could fit Dover in next season besides our reserve, youth and ladies teams at a peppercorn 2,600 a game. I for one do not forget, and never forgive.

[Guest]

i think it would be great as the more games it can take the more teams (ladies,reserves ect) the more money comming into the club.

the moden plactic pitches coulnt be that bad as UEFA and FIFA woulnt have santioned them, plus im sure the club did their homework on the cost of upkeep.

[hartgeman]

sorry i thought i had loged in.

[Edinburgh Exile]

The more teams playing at HDP the greater the profile of the club and the greater its contribution to the area. However, the more games at HDP, the more opposition from local residents.

 

Plastic pitches are the future and would give us a greater home advantage, not just because they favour teams that pass the ball rather than belt the ball up the pitch. Whenever away teams lose at Dunfermline they always blame the pitch, although I'm not sure whether the plastic pitch is a pyshological or real advantage as at that level all teams should be able to pass the ball ...

[hartgeman]

i agree with you totaly there

[MargateFan]

Don't Reading have one of these?