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The football league are currently going through a consultation period, with the view of artificial pitches returning.

Would it be a favourable for Torquay to have a plastic pitch?

In my mind the new pitch needs to play as similar to grass for it be considered by many fans.

But from a clubs point of view, it could be a money maker:

The team can train on it
Can be hired out to other local teams and other sports or recreational activities
Reduces maintenance costs
Gets rid of the need for the' man the with the hose' before and during the match even in winter

For the players there are bonuses to:
Will always be a flat and consistent surface, no bobbles will not deterioate throughout the game
Could be suited to teams playing a passing game

However:
From my experience even the 4g artificial pitches have a large bounce and can be very quick

A champions league game was played on one of these pitches and England played on one in Russia.

What are your opinions?

NO NO NO !!!

NON NON NON !!!

NIET NIET NIET !!!

I haven't formed a final opinion as of yet, I have some experience of the new 4g but I expect that the pitches that will be looked at will be more advanced than thew ones I have played on, and would like to see some matches played on these pitches.

There is something about grass though, it is the origin of the sport and adds extra entertainment and excitement.

Don't think it's really a concern for us. Plainmoor drains pretty well, and it's rare to have a postponement due to a frozen pitch. it makes more sense for teams that have drainage issues or are further north and lose games to the weather quite regularly.

I've played on the newer pitches and I've not really had much of a problem.

They might be cheaper long-term, but they're pretty expensive to install - it would cost a lot up front which most clubs (especially at our level) don't have.

And astroturf even 4G is not maintenace free, they have to be regularly combed and cleaned.

Certainly worth looking into, but I doubt that it will be a satisfactory solution. The US has a long history of playing American football on artificial pitches, and all the top teams have the very latest pitches, but they still have a problem with an increase in strain injuries on artificial pitches, particularly foot problems and especially toe problems.

Aussie : "Astroturf compared with grass, what do you reckon ?"



Trojan : "I don't know, I've never smoked astroturf."

Widnes Rugby League club have laid a 4g pitch, and after the first match there the players were covered in 'burns' from the plastic surface.
Not for me, I dont want the game to get any softer than its already become, I want to see slide tackles and contact during a match. :slap:
Might stop the cheats diving at the slightest touch though...........

Southampton Gull wrote:NO NO NO !!!

NON NON NON !!!

NIET NIET NIET !!!

NEIN NEIN NEIN.

EmetEdadsBeard wrote:Widnes Rugby League club have laid a 4g pitch, and after the first match there the players were covered in 'burns' from the plastic surface.
Not for me, I dont want the game to get any softer than its already become, I want to see slide tackles and contact during a match. :slap:
Might stop the cheats diving at the slightest touch though...........

That was due to the ice on the surface not the pitch, same happened in the game between Castleford and Salford however that was played on a normal pitch, the 4g pitch had nothing to do with it.

Gazzableedsgull wrote: That was due to the ice on the surface not the pitch, same happened in the game between Castleford and Salford however that was played on a normal pitch, the 4g pitch had nothing to do with it.

Thats not what the players and coaching staff said after the game. There wasnt any ice on the Widnes pitch anyway.

Southampton Gull wrote:NO NO NO !!!

NON NON NON !!!

NIET NIET NIET !!!

We can assume then Dave that Your not inclined to be terribly in favour of these pitches then. Lol

Trojan 67 wrote:Aussie : "Astroturf compared with grass, what do you reckon ?"



Trojan : "I don't know, I've never smoked astroturf."

No comparison, increase of injuries and the ball doesn`t behave the same! I`m in the same camp as SG on this NO NO NO!

I would have to say no as well, I think in comparison to most League 2 pitches, Plainmoor is one of the best kept.