……it’s probably good enough for Harry and his mates. Jumpers for goalposts and all that.
I’m talking about artificial grass, of course, after the news that club chairmen from Leagues One and Two of the Football League have backed the return of artificial grass pitches to the Football League.
At last week’s meeting in Walsall, they gave a strong hint that they would vote in favour of allowing ‘third generation’ (3G) surfaces from next season onwards at November’s formal vote, having previously indicated this at a Portugal summer meeting, through a show of hands. At the latest meeting in the Midlands, 29 out of 46 members stated they would be agreeable to the re-introduction of the artificial grass pitches.
Rules are now expected to be drawn up and a formal vote on whether to allow them from the start of next season will be taken at the next meeting in November. Once ratified, the likely initial outcome is allowing artificial pitches to be used in both Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and Capital One Cup.
This follows on from July’s vote to allow 3G pitches into all three Conference divisions, from next season onwards, something that the Minister for Sport, Helen Grant said she was ‘delighted’ about.
Third-generation (3G) artificial grass
Third-generation, or 3G, pitches are made from artificial grass with sand and rubber support, enabling the pitch to act more like a natural surface and reducing the risk of injury. The obvious advantage for lower league football clubs using them is that they require minimal maintenance, in comparison to standard pitches, and they can be used in all weather conditions – just like ours. However they cost £500,000 to install – unlike ours!
The reintroduction of artificial grass football pitches isn’t just limited to football either. Newcastle and Saracens, two Premiership rugby union sides (along with Pro-12 side Cardiff Blues) have all fitted artificial grass surfaces. Widnes Vikings (a Super League team) have one in use currently at their Select Security Stadium.
Of course we’ve been extolling the virtues of our own fourth generation 4G artificial grass for a long time – maybe the football powers that be have been reading our blog!?
Looking for a little piece of the Football League in your own back garden? Why not get in touch and see how affordable a beautiful, all weather lawn could be.
