Margate's new pitch...

[jc]

...could be a plastic one.

 

From Kent Online

 

It's led to some heated debate on their forum too, unsurprisingly.

[Stu M]

Absolutely ridiculous ruling that league games are OK, but you're not allowed to host FA Cup ties. That alone would be enough to throw the whole idea out the door if it was an option for us.

[Gordon T]

In terms of cost and revenue Dunfermline have benefited from having the synthetic pitch. This could be a good thing, but the style of play is different to that of grass. Having the synthetic pitch will take away some of the qualities that grass pitches have. Also it is said that synthetic pitches cause more ankle injuries etc.

[ColtheJock]

My home team in Scotland, Hamilton Academicals spent £400k on a new synthetic pitch at the start of this season and it has been a revelation for the club. They can use it for all training and all off the clubs teams including their highly rated youth system. I have been on the pitch myself and it is nothing like astroturf. It is excellent for playing passing football as the movement of the ball is consistent. I know that some people are against these types of pitches but for some clubs the initial outlay would make sense. It is also a reasonable solution for some clubs in Scandanavia and Eastern Europe who suffer with cold weather. As far as I know the Accies Pitch is ok down to a temperature of -10c. They have not had a match postponed this season either which has kept revenue flowing into the club too. So Margate's idea might not be that bad!!!!!

[Stu M]

But would anyone forsake the ability to play home FA Cup ties? Granted, it's a dumb distinction for the authorities to make (yes, you can play league games; no, you can't play cup games)...

[jc]

Quote:

Gordon T said: Also it is said that synthetic pitches cause more ankle injuries etc.

Apparently not - from Margate's forum (originally quoted from Dunfermline's official website):

Paul Atkinson, Physiotherapist for the Pars says: “All the talk of artificial surface causing injury is totally unfounded. UEFA has compiled a report comparing instances of injury at DAFC. For every 1000 hours of playing or training on grass, there were 2.4 ligament injuries. There have been only 1.3 ligament injuries on the artificial pitch in the same time frame. Muscular injuries were 5.2 per 1000 hours of usage on grass, but this has dropped to 1.9 per 1000 hours on the XL surface.
“Out of six players injured for a significant period during the 2003 – 2004 season, four sustained their injuries on grass, while only two were injured on an artificial surface. Our figures show that there is actually less risk of injury on the artificial surface.”

[American FLEET FAN No1]

We had all these aguements when Luton(and others)layed an artificial pitch. The FA's arguement against cup matches being played on them was that it would give a clear advantage to the home side on a one off basis, whereas the balance was redressed with an away League match.

[ColtheJock]

Well just look at Hamilton Accies home record this season and you will see that the artificial pitch has not given them any bias!!!!! Technology has progressed amd the artificial pitches of today and nothing like the one Luton, QPR or Oldham had a few year's back.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

I didn't say the pitches were the same.........Just the FA's views were still the same!

[EUFC superb]

on plastic it is much safer because theres no rocks and stones to cut you leg open on but doesnt that mean the players have to wear trainers??

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Quote:

gnfc superb said:
on plastic it is much safer because theres no rocks and stones to cut you leg open on but doesnt that mean the players have to wear trainers??

I wouldn't tell any self-respecting Groundsman he has rocks and stones on his pitch........Peter Norton will have your guts for bootlaces! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

gnfc superb said:
on plastic it is much safer because theres no rocks and stones to cut you leg open on but doesnt that mean the players have to wear trainers??

Don't be such a silly boy. Have YOU ever tried a sliding tackle on plastic. You get burnt from ankle to hip!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

[EUFC superb]

but will they have to wear trainers?

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

gnfc superb said:
on plastic it is much safer because theres no rocks and stones to cut you leg open on but doesnt that mean the players have to wear trainers??

I can think that Steve Stone or Bob Boulder are the only rocks likely to be found on a soccer pitch!!
Any other that spring to mind?

[EUFC superb]

well the wrestler the rock might play footy part time

[Cookie]

We already have a "Rocky" here. Rocky Baptiste and his form is living up to his name at the moment. Real rocky!

[jc]

Looks like it's not going to happen now anyway.

 

From the Margate forum

[Cookie]

Nothing much does!! I prefer grass anyway. Ooops I mean the turf type grass, laid down as a pitch.

[ColtheJock]

Well if it happens or not, I think this is the way forward for some clubs. The artifical pitch at Hamilton feels more like grass. You do not get friction burns from a slide tackle and you can waer studs to help grip the turf, so it is nothing like the bone hard astrotruf of years ago!!!!

[David Holden]

Quote:

ColtheJock said:
Well if it happens or not, I think this is the way forward for some clubs. The artifical pitch at Hamilton feels more like grass. You do not get friction burns from a slide tackle and you can waer studs to help grip the turf, so it is nothing like the bone hard astrotruf of years ago!!!!

Except that the Conference are not sanctioning the use of artifical pitches.