Artificial grass football pitches were banned in 1988 due to complaints about the quality of football played on them and injuries to players. The surfacing was supposed to be hard-wearing on the joints especially the knees. However, football league clubs are requesting for these bans to be lifted and they could make a shock return.
As technology has advanced significantly over the 22 years since the ban was introduced we are now in the position in the UK to lift this ban. A number of top flight clubs play their games on artificial 3G synthetic turf in Italy, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Russia. Several lower division clubs in Scotland use them as well, while the FA allows competitions as the FA Vase, Women’s Premier League and FA Trophy to use artificial grass.
What is The Football League?
The English Football League (EFL) is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in world football. It was the top-level football league in England from its foundation in the 19th century until 1992. This was when the top 22 clubs split away to form the Premier League.
The three leagues below the Premiership League are known as the Championship, League One and League Two. There are 24 clubs in each division – 72 clubs in total. Promotion and relegation between these divisions is a central feature of the League and is further extended to allow the top Championship clubs to exchange places with the lowest-placed clubs in the Premier League, and the bottom clubs of League Two to switch with the top clubs of the National League, thus integrating the League into the English football league system.
Although primarily a competition for English clubs, clubs from Wales – currently Newport County and Cardiff City – also take part, while in the past Swansea City, Wrexham, Merthyr Town and Aberdare Athletic have been members. – Information provided by the Wikipedia Football League Page.
Synthetic Turf for the Football League
Main factors as to why an artificial sports pitch would be advantageous is income gained from hiring out the pitch, maintenance costs would be saved and the ability you can train on it. You can get people on the third generation synthetic turf pitch seven days a week rather than 24 times a year for home fixtures.
Some of the benefits of synthetic turf for the football league include:
- Ability for use all year round
- No need for cutting
- Easier to maintain than natural grass
- Reduces any existing water bills
As a leading artificial grass installer and specialist with decade of experience, we understand the differences between high and low quality products. We ensure to only use the best quality products that are proven to outlast much of our competition. Our installations receive nothing but glowing reviews from clients across the Country.
If you have any queries with regards to this topic, then feel free to contact us and we will do our best to assist you!
