Maidstone's Pitch

By richhend23/12/2015 00:32Wed Dec 23 00:32:07 2015

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Interesting article from the Kent press about Maidstone having to get their pitch relaid due to wear and tear:-

‎http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/conference-south-step-two/14518/maidstone-united-expect-to-need-3g-replacement-in-next-two-years/

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Re: Maidstone's Pitch

By StAlbansDon23/12/2015 12:28Wed Dec 23 12:28:50 2015In response to Maidstone's PitchTop of thread

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There have been some problems with the Maidstone pitch since it was installed. When Hendon first played at the Gallagher Stadium the artificial pitch was hard and the pile of the carpet flattened. The pitch should be swept and brushed for at least an hour for every ten hours of use. A deep clean is required at least twice a year if the pitch is to play well. Our surface at SJP is tested annually to ensure we comply with the levels of tolerance for bounce, roll and level of the surface. The surface would have to be relayed if we fail the test and it can't be repaired. The average life expectancy should be approximately 10 years but our business plan has a new surface in eight years.
We have a FIFA one star equivalent surface but at the point of relaying we will need a FIFA two star rating which is the highest available. Although the pitch at SJP is extensively used our emphasis is on youth which has less wear and tear.
Gary and the first team squad are delighted with the performance of our pitch and so are Edgware. Artificial pitches are the way forwards for non league teams as it is the only viable business model for clubs with a limited fan base.

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Re: Maidstone's Pitch

By Middx Wanderer23/12/2015 15:08Wed Dec 23 15:08:44 2015In response to Re: Maidstone's PitchTop of thread

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I don't have a problem with artificial pitches, in fact I welcome them, but if it's going to cost 100k a year . It's not going to be the way forward for many non league clubs especially those in residential areas that cannot use them 7 evenings a week

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Re: Maidstone's Pitch

By Hendonboy23/12/2015 15:57Wed Dec 23 15:57:48 2015In response to Re: Maidstone's PitchTop of thread

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If you assume the 100k figure and that it's only being used 40 weeks of the year, then that's £2.5k a week - at usual pitch hire costs that'd be around 25 hours (a few less in London) a week- if you're able to get schools/colleges involved that it's achievable even if you couldn't run 6-10pm every day. You'd also save money on training costs, lost the grass maintenance costs (yes, much lower, but still there) and benefit from lack of postponements (some years that's not worth much, others it costs a lots).

Obviously there's other costs involved in running the facility for more time - not least that you'd need to pay someone or get a very willing volunteer to staff/run it, but it's not that difficult to make a business case stack up unless you're unable to run it fairly heavily on Sundays. Where the biggest difficulty lies - other than staffing - is getting the funding to put a pitch in - even with 50% Football Foundation funding, that's the best part of £250k a club needs to raise... somewhere between 1-2 years of running costs for an average RPL team.

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Re: Maidstone's Pitch

By StAlbansDon23/12/2015 16:39Wed Dec 23 16:39:01 2015In response to Re: Maidstone's PitchTop of thread

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For clarity the cost of maintaining an artificial pitch is approximately £15k per year. Once the base has been layed the replacement cost is for the carpet only which will be around £200k. A sinking fund of £25k should be put aside. Based on this the cost of running an artificial surface is around £40k a year but lei with increased utility bills. Most of our income is through day time or early evening use academy, university, schools, walking football, community coaching and youth teams.
On an artificial surface we can have over 40 hours of play a week compared to 4 on a grass pitch. The significant increase in usage and people attending make the ground more appealing to sponsors and advertisers. More users also helps increase bar takings and function hire.
Our ground now has other sports and activities on the pitch which makes it a hub of the community and should contribute to an increase in the fan base.
In an ideal world the perfect grass pitch would be my preference but reality says otherwise.
This is a sustainable model which I believe is the way forwards

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