Pros and cons of a return to plastic

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 03 October 2014


ATHLETIC are open to the idea of bringing back the plastic to SportsDirect.com Park.

Football League chairmen last week supported a proposal to allow third generation (3G) artificial surfaces to be used by clubs in Leagues One and Two from next season.

Plastic pitches were banned in 1995 due to fears over player injuries. Athletic’s old artificial surface was introduced by then-chairman Ian Stott in 1986 and lasted five years.

Improvements in technology mean current 3G pitches are far closer to their natural equivalent in terms of bounce and injury-potential. Athletic will explore the option ahead of a formal vote in November.

The initial outlay would be around £500,000 — a lot of money for a team like Athletic, though some of the cost would be offset by the potential to hire out the new, lower-maintenance pitch.

With Championship clubs not currently in favour, Athletic would potentially have to rip up a 3G surface in the event of promotion.

“We would be interested in exploring installing a 3G pitch,” said Athletic chief executive Neil Joy.

“There are clearly potential benefits in terms of the wider community as well as the club. There are pros and cons and we would have to look into it carefully.”