Safety net

FA to install protective pitch dome

ATHLETIC’S hopes of beating the icy snap and entertaining Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round have been given a major boost by the FA’s pitch dome.

The state of the art equipment, which blows hot air on to the pitch, is made available only to clubs involved in ties televised live.

The Boundary Park clash on January 27 (4pm) will be live on ITV1. The FA and ITV will pay for the dome’s use.

FA officials visited Oldham last week to ensure everything was in place for winter warmer.

Athletic chief executive Neil Joy confirmed the dome could be in place as early as Monday.

“Obviously it is a big help because the temperatures could plummet next week. This gives us the best possible chance of hosting the match on January 27.

“We have been keeping an eye on the forecasts and we will be able to liaise with the FA to determine when the dome should be installed.”

The dome was used in Liverpool’s last FA Cup outing, the 2-1 win at non-league Mansfield in the third round. It was described by Mansfield groundsman Michael Merriman as a “game saver”.



ANOTHER 400 tickets were sold yesterday for the FA Cup tie on Sunday week.

Athletic chief executive Neil Joy said: “There are about 500 left. We anticipate them going in the next 24 to 48 hours.”