Plastic Fantastic

[oafcmetty]

Looks like they could be coming back. Would you be keen?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29919748

Edited November 6, 2014 by oafcmetty

[MAC0AFC]

No.

 

Grass pitches are looked after a lot more nowadays (in the football league) and are in much better shape.

 

 

Good grass pitches will always be better then plastic pitches.

Edited November 6, 2014 by kieranmcandrew

[GlossopLatic]

Yes

 

It will be a saving in maintenance costs and will be the 3G stuff that is in use now and not the astro- turf of years ago plus it will mean less postponements in winter and we will be able to hire our pitch out when we don't have a game.

[oafcmetty]

I'm a 'yes', but, it's probably irrelevant given we'll be in the championship next season.

[Markoasis]

Yes, only because when the Yeds move back it'll stop people moaning that they ruin the pitch!

[lookersstandandy]

Yes, assuming a financial business case says it can save/make more money for the club to invest in the playing staff.

[NewBlue]

Would we miss out on players if we had a 3G pitch and rivalling clubs had a grass pitch, with the PFA are strongly opposed to it?

 

I don't care really, but I'd find it weird watching professional football played on something other than grass. It would feel like bringing the club down to amateur level, having not been around during the days it was used in the 80s and 90s.

 

I'm out.

Edited November 6, 2014 by NewBlue

[Scapegoat]

Having watched Latics on a old fashioned plastic pitch I have fond memories of the success we had on it, but being honest they were not great and was glad to see us return to grass in the 1st Division.

 

That said, the reduced running costs, almost guaranteed matches in all conditions and the additional income that it brought to the club was welcome.

 

 

The quality of the pitches has clearly improved - with Champions League and International games being played on them.

 

 

So, I have voted YES. Prefer not to, but think the financial benefits for our club are too great to be ignored.

[BP1960]

Latest News - Not approved;

 

http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2014/20141106-artificial-pitches-proposals-not-approved-rg-2066858.aspx

 

And our percentage votes reflect the clubs.

Edited November 6, 2014 by BP1960

[OAFC33]

Common sense prevails - 3g provides a poor playing surface when compared to grass and increases the risk of injury. Plus, how long would a pitch have to be down before it paid for itself? I'd estimate 3 or 4 seasons at least.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Do we still own 'little' Wembley? Couldn't that be converted into an artificial pitch to rent out for extra revenue?

[BP1960]

Do we still own 'little' Wembley? Couldn't that be converted into an artificial pitch to rent out for extra revenue?

 

More likely a car park Mr S.

[leeslover]

Do we still own 'little' Wembley? Couldn't that be converted into an artificial pitch to rent out for extra revenue?

When we were looking at bigger development schemes I fancied tthe idea of doing an artificial pitch with a basic stand that would do for training, reserves, youths, rental and peanut hugging. I still reckon it's worth think about.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

When we were looking at bigger development schemes I fancied tthe idea of doing an artificial pitch with a basic stand that would do for training, reserves, youths, rental and peanut hugging. I still reckon it's worth think about.

 

It's got to be worth more in revenue than using it for car parking space, right? We have tons of car parking space, even with bit sold to houses gone.

[opinions4u]

More likely a car park Mr S.

Or an extension to the cul-de-sac with some nice park view homes.

[oafcmetty]

Apparently we voted 'no' to this proposal. Madness.

[Oafc1895]

To me it's a must.

 

In the days of FFP where we can only spend what we can bring in we need to bring in as much money as we can. By having the 3G pitch it can be played on by local clubs 7 days a week as it doesn't need as much seeing to.

 

People may say about it not being the same as grass which it's not, but from experience of playing on the top grade of 3G pitches (which you hope latics would get if we did) there is not much and the bounce of the ball is predictable. Also their not effected by the weather conditions so no postponements due to frozen/waterlogged pitch. The only thing with them is when they are wet they do get very slippy but that can only add to the entertainment.

[Tommy_Fent]

 

It's got to be worth more in revenue than using it for car parking space, right? We have tons of car parking space, even with bit sold to houses gone.

I noticed Shrewsbury have opened a few 5 a-side pitches next to their ground. I think it would depend if there is a Power League or Goals like complex nearby (not being local I wouldn't know)

[leeslover]

 

It's got to be worth more in revenue than using it for car parking space, right? We have tons of car parking space, even with bit sold to houses gone.

I'm not sure about the practicality of putting a pitch on top of a multi storey. It would certainly be bracing in January.

[c.hill12]

So we vote yes, it gets passed, we intall it in 2015, get promoted in 2016 and have to rip it up again. Probably £400k spent in a little over a year on 2 pitches?

Commercially it makes sense with the hiring ut out etc but then you're banking on staying down for a fair few years to get a return in your investment. Would be a gamble.

[ShireBlue]

Our pitch is so good these days I wouldn't want to see one on BP. Build as many as you can for training and commercial purposes, but not as our main pitch.