I remember QPR & Luton both had a plastic pitches. I have never looked at the stats but in my opinion it did not change the home wins ratio by either team, so on that level I have no issue with them. At least they always looked good in the winter months I am not convinced the injuries argument holds up. Maybe some flesh burns being caused (and that picture shows an extreme example IMO) but I don't think it makes much difference when it comes to internal injuries through tackle, falls etc
I can understand why they might have found favour in the 80s but not now. Back then pitches were a nightmare come december and january. muddy surfaces and standing water caused havoc and games were called off. Pitches are far better these days and it is rare to hear of a cancelation. On the standing water bit, didn't we get knocked out of the cup by everton in the late 70s when a 20yard back pass to the keeper stopped dead in a puddle after 10 yards allowing the striker to pick up the ball and score?
Everton that day had a well known fullback who later took us to our recent Wembley appearances. Tony Evans did his usual walk on water.
I think it was Duncan Mackenzie who latched on to that back pass and scored... then proceeded to flash the 'V' sign at the Grange End (smart move in the late 70's Dunc) My two stand out memories from that little cup run: Peter Sayer v Spurs and John Buchanan's late late winner v Wrexham. for soooo many reasons anyway, back OT I can possibly understand some clubs going for plastic pitches due to maintenance costs etc but with all the modern drainage systems, under-soil heating... not forgetting the super-duper lamps at CCS etc, I don't see any advantage these days... and you could bet your arse Fergie would whinge if he thought any opposition had an advantage due to a different playing surface. As for injuries, I played in both the Parks and Astro-Turf leagues and I don't recall any difference in the number of injuries caused by the different surfaces (completely different level to OP subject but its all relative) other than leaving the odd knee or thigh a few yards behind you (ouch!!)
its not really a big argument as the new plastic pitches are better, if other top flight clubs are using them without problems then i dont see why there should be any major drawbacks here
Indeed he was ITIWRAN. I was at the Spurs game H Bomb, sat in the Canton stand. I was dead in line with Sayer and the post so was first on my feet when he scored. Got to see me on Match of the Day. Missed the Wrexham game as I was at Urdd camp in Llangrannog. Listened to it on the radio. we were 2-1 up when I went to dinner and it wasn't until the next day I found out about buchanan's wonder goal. Still don't think plastic is the way to go even reading others comments so far. We've got a plastic weave through the grass at CCS anyway which helps the durability. This is more about lower teams using their pitches for other things to generate revenue which I understand. For us, we'd probably lose the revenue from the Blues as they wouldn't want to play rugby on plastic. Some of you may think that a bonus.
what we'd give now for someone to be able to do what Steve Grapes did that day? That goal for me is right up there with his 35+yard screamer v Swansea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOvrAXaZKfg
