Conference to allow 3G pitch use

[RaidenYeltz]

The Football Conference will allow 3G pitches in all three divisions from the start of the 2015-16 season.
Earlier this year, Conference clubs voted against a plan to permit the reintroduction of artificial surfaces, but at a meeting ahead of next season it was announced plans would go ahead.
"I'm delighted the Football Conference has decided to allow 3G pitches," Minister for Sport Helen Grant said.
"It's fantastic that the Conference are now taking this sensible step."
The Conference will now become the highest level of English league football to allow the use of artificial pitches.
The news follows the announcement in March that 3G pitches will be allowed in all rounds of the FA Cup from the start of the 2014-15 season.
Plastic pitches were banned from English professional football in 1995 but are more commonly used in Europe.
In 2007 the England national team lost 2-1 to Russia in a European Championship qualifier on a plastic pitch in Moscow.
In rugby union, Premiership side Saracens play first-team matches on the artificial pitch at Allianz Park, and rugby league team Widnes Vikings also use a 3G pitch.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28589474

[RaidenYeltz]

On the fence about the whole thing.

[beastyyeltz]

If the majority of the conference clubs went against it, then they probably won't have them anyway. I imagine a couple will, but not a massive worry for those who disagree with 3G pitches (myself included) as the majority of clubs appear to disagree with them anyway

[BBNOW100]

Not really too sure what the big fuss is over 3G pitches. It may give a travelling team a disadvantage if they're not used to playing on it but surely that's evened out by the fact they will adapt to the 3G pitch and when they play on grass they will be at a disadvantage? I just think people make too big a deal out of it all.

[RaidenYeltz]

You're right there is a slight advantage to the home side whom play regular on a 3G surface. I believe if you go around our squad and asked those who played the two games -v- Romulus and Sutton last season and then the Romulus game this pre-season whether they liked playing on 3G, I think there'd be a resounding 'no'.

There is something 'not quite right' about watching your team play on a plastic artificial surface, I wonder whether those who went to the Romulus / Sutton games would agree?

In terms of physical difference it takes a lot more out of the body than playing on grass does. From a personal point of view, there is an increased risk of injury such as sprains due to the solid nature of the surface compared the softer surface of grass.

I have sprained both ankles quite badly on artificial turf which never have occurred on grass. This is my personal belief and isn't fact. But it's a serious belief! Again be interesting to hear the thoughts of others who have played on 3G surfaces such as Power League?

The ball bounces and plays very different on 3G than it does on grass too so there is also a technical element as well as the physical. All three games I've seen on the 3G pitch at Coles Lane have produced tight and frankly dismal matches.I assume, due to the surface as players get to grips with the fact it's not grass!

Saying all that there are the obvious advantages which encourage me to sit on the fence. After seeing the debacle with our pitch over the Summer it goes without saying that a 3G pitch would be welcomed in that respect!

Also the fact it has potential to be used 24/7 in affect without the worry of damage which you see on grass, this in turn would create much needed income from various uses.

Finally, you would never have an abandoned match due to a waterlogged pitch!

I can definitely see the plus points of a 3G pitch, but something just ain't right about it either!

[wednesburystokie]

I think 3g has moved on greatly since the days of QPR and Oldham with their old 'astroturf.'

These days the 3g pitches do not differ greatly in play to grass, the main differences being the ball doesnt get held up by water and mud.

One thing i would question is a clubs ambition for having 3G.

if i was a Conference team supporter and my team installed a 3G pitch i would be asking if they wanted to get promoted, as any promotion to the football league would, at present, require a grass pitch.

Oh, and they smell....

[RobYeltz]

I often struggle to get 3G when doing my match updates. It needs 3G on the terraces nevermind the pitch!

[wednesburystokie]

I often struggle to get 3G when doing my match updates. It needs 3G on the terraces nevermind the pitch!

Boomtish, are you here all week????

[JohnC]

3G pitches stink. The two games last season other than the result were boring, horrible to watch.

Keep them for amateur five a side teams.

[BBNOW100]

To be perfectly honest, I don't think that teams as high as the conference need 3G pitches. They are probably good for teams lower down the leagues that can't afford the ground maintenance or the proper drainage systems (such as Willenhall Town that didn't have a game from mid December to mid February this season if I remember correctly due to waterlogged pitches).