|
Post by The Fence End on Feb 12, 2017 13:41:10 GMT
I see the pitch, on the South Stand side in particular, is awful again.
Many things and people have been blamed for the poor state of the pitch - rugby, no maintenance by Kassam, the University groundstaff etc but it's still terrible despite the club/Eales spending tens of thousands on it before the season. There's obviously a problem under the pitch which stops the root system developing properly which needs addressing. The lack of natural sunlight on that side doesn't help so one of those sunlight lamp things is needed.
Unfortunately, neither solution is cheap but both are essential given our preferred style of play. Kassam (obviously) isn't going to spend anything on it and I doubt Eales wants to so I only hope that the potential new owners of the ground have budgeted a good £100k or so for this - it is an essential spend afterall.
|
|
|
Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 12, 2017 13:50:26 GMT
I noticed our pitch looked like it was struggling, but having seen other pitches higher up on highlights, it's holding up pretty well.
|
|
|
Post by eighteen93 on Feb 12, 2017 14:19:20 GMT
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Feb 12, 2017 14:23:42 GMT
Like u say it always in the shade that side because of the south stand, and it's also been under covers probably more than not over the last month or so. Don't think it's to do with the drainage, that has been dug up and replaced twice in the not to distance past.
|
|
|
Post by The Fence End on Feb 12, 2017 14:44:50 GMT
Like u say it always in the shade that side because of the south stand, and it's also been under covers probably more than not over the last month or so. Don't think it's to do with the drainage, that has been dug up and replaced twice in the not to distance past. So why is it so bad still? Incompetent contractors? Whatever they did wasn't what needed to be done so no point doing it again. Needs significant investment, hopefully any new owners realise and account for that.
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Feb 12, 2017 14:51:06 GMT
Like u say it always in the shade that side because of the south stand, and it's also been under covers probably more than not over the last month or so. Don't think it's to do with the drainage, that has been dug up and replaced twice in the not to distance past. So why is it so bad still? Incompetent contractors? Whatever they did wasn't what needed to be done so no point doing it again. Needs significant investment, hopefully any new owners realise and account for that. Because when designed the biggest stand was put at the south, blocking the sun for 90% of the time. Look at the emirates and other newer grounds they have open bits at the back to let the light in, or in the roof. Look at grass under trees it's always worse. It probably doesn't help that it gets minimum maintenance. Although I think I read that when we had it re laid the company provided a grounds man to maintain it as part of the contract. Also I suppose the higher up the leagues u go the more they pay on covers, ours lay directly on the grass if they have been on for a month or so only off for a few days here and there then it's not going to be great, same as leaving a paddling pool on your lawn. Not sure what the two patches are, but they seem to have made it worse, looking slightly raised compared to the mud around it.
|
|
|
Post by Eaststandboy on Feb 12, 2017 14:52:18 GMT
Thought it looked bad during the game. On TV it looks really bad.
|
|
|
Post by The Fence End on Feb 12, 2017 14:56:40 GMT
So why is it so bad still? Incompetent contractors? Whatever they did wasn't what needed to be done so no point doing it again. Needs significant investment, hopefully any new owners realise and account for that. Because when designed the biggest stand was put at the south, blocking the sun for 90% of the time. Look at the emirates and other newer grounds they have open bits at the back to let the light in, or in the roof. Look at grass under trees it's always worse. It probably doesn't help that it gets minimum maintenance. Although I think I read that when we had it re laid the company provided a grounds man to maintain it as part of the contract. Also I suppose the higher up the leagues u go the more they pay on covers, ours lay directly on the grass if they have been on for a month or so only off for a few days here and there then it's not going to be great, same as leaving a paddling pool on your lawn. Not sure what the two patches are, but they seem to have made it worse, looking slightly raised compared to the mud around it. Definitely need one or a couple of these then: www.pitchcare.com/magazine/lights-keep-grass-pitches-in-summer-condition-in-depths-of-winter.htmlWon't be cheap though?
|
|
|
Post by grumpygit on Feb 12, 2017 15:03:03 GMT
Can we borrow some high powered lights from the cannabis farmers in the are All?
|
|
|
Post by Colin B on Feb 12, 2017 15:54:37 GMT
Translucent panels in the South Stand roof would go a long way to solving the problem, as its predominantly a lack of sunlight that is the problem. One or two lighting rigs may also be needed to supplement that in the depths of winter.
|
|
|
Post by The Fence End on Feb 12, 2017 15:57:47 GMT
Translucent panels in the South Stand roof would go a long way to solving the problem, as its predominantly a lack of sunlight that is the problem. One or two lighting rigs may also be needed to supplement that in the depths of winter. All of which will be expensive and will be the responsibility of the landlord.
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Feb 12, 2017 16:01:06 GMT
Translucent panels in the South Stand roof would go a long way to solving the problem, as its predominantly a lack of sunlight that is the problem. One or two lighting rigs may also be needed to supplement that in the depths of winter. All of which will be expensive and will be the responsibility of the landlord. Swapping a few sheets of paneling won't be that expensive. But not the kind of thing the current land lord is going to stump up for
|
|
|
Post by The Fence End on Feb 12, 2017 16:03:37 GMT
All of which will be expensive and will be the responsibility of the landlord. Swapping a few sheet off paneling won't be that expensive. But not the kind of thing the current land lord is going to stump up for Will the new landlords be able to afford it?
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Feb 12, 2017 16:08:24 GMT
Who knows, repairs and updating have been factored in, as well as ways to expand the stadium so we will have to wait and see. Like it says in the article about the day lighting. It's 64k a year but that's cheaper than having to pay to relay the pitch half way through the season. If swapping a few roof sheets means the pitch doesn't need major works every few years then it will be a sound investment
|
|
|
Post by Colin B on Feb 12, 2017 16:24:10 GMT
Swapping a few sheet off paneling won't be that expensive. But not the kind of thing the current land lord is going to stump up for Will the new landlords be able to afford it? You seem as if you will only be happy if the answer is either "no" or "hadn't thought of it"
|
|
|
Post by The Fence End on Feb 12, 2017 16:33:43 GMT
Will the new landlords be able to afford it? You seem as if you will only be happy if the answer is either "no" or "hadn't thought of it" Of course you have. Haven't you? Perhaps someone could convince me that this community deal won't be a total disaster that won't end up with the various parties falling out about who should pay for what. But thats irrelevant and for the other lengthy thread. This is about the pitch which is need of significant investment. But who can afford that investment?
|
|
|
Post by ZeroTheHero on Feb 12, 2017 16:55:52 GMT
You seem as if you will only be happy if the answer is either "no" or "hadn't thought of it" Of course you have. Haven't you? Perhaps someone could convince me that this community deal won't be a total disaster that won't end up with the various parties falling out about who should pay for what. But thats irrelevant and for the other lengthy thread. This is about the pitch which is need of significant investment. But who can afford that investment? Yeah, we get it. You don't like the idea of a community owned stadium and think it will be a disaster for the club. Who knows? You may be right and it might turn out to be exactly that. Can you suggest a workable alternative that is a guaranteed success, please?
|
|
|
Post by randomox on Feb 12, 2017 16:56:57 GMT
Pitch in front of dug outs does look bad. So why did we do most of our 5 a side warm up there from about 2.40-2.50 yesterday!!!! We could have done that anywhere else on half the pitch...
|
|
|
The Pitch
Feb 12, 2017 16:57:16 GMT
via mobile
Post by upthecowboys on Feb 12, 2017 16:57:16 GMT
You seem as if you will only be happy if the answer is either "no" or "hadn't thought of it" Of course you have. Haven't you? Perhaps someone could convince me that this community deal won't be a total disaster that won't end up with the various parties falling out about who should pay for what. But thats irrelevant and for the other lengthy thread. This is about the pitch which is need of significant investment. But who can afford that investment? Re the current state of the pitch... I'm sure Firoka are meeting their contractual terms in terms of the playing surface i.e doing the minimal needed but nothing more So currently it is down to DE to spend some money to improve the pitch. He has spent loads already, but it is his shout if he wants to pay to improve it this season. (To his credit, he has paid to improve the playing surface previously). If the stadium / ground was owned by the 'OxVox' consortium currently trying to buy it then I reckon the pitch would get more money spent on it - it would be their responsibility.
|
|
|
Post by themightyaldo on Feb 12, 2017 17:20:01 GMT
The bit that is particularly bad is where we line up pre match,can't we do that off the pitch
|
|
|
The Pitch
Feb 12, 2017 17:30:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by grenobleroad on Feb 12, 2017 17:30:33 GMT
Pitch in front of dug outs does look bad. So why did we do most of our 5 a side warm up there from about 2.40-2.50 yesterday!!!! We could have done that anywhere else on half the pitch... If you have a crap surface then it's a good idea to get used to playing on it.
|
|
|
The Pitch
Feb 12, 2017 18:57:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by mariokempes on Feb 12, 2017 18:57:20 GMT
Can we borrow some high powered lights from the cannabis farmers in the are All? Didn't Rochdale have lights given to them by the local Constabulary after cases had been heard. Maybe if approached TVP would do the same as it should make more sense to recycle that type of evidence. We must have enough supporters in relevant trades who would rig-up some form of lighting for the good of the club
|
|
|
Post by aaronoxf on Feb 12, 2017 19:21:39 GMT
Surely reading would have a couple of lighting rigs we could borrow.
|
|
|
Post by ZeroTheHero on Feb 12, 2017 20:01:02 GMT
Surely reading would have a couple of lighting rigs we could borrow. A couple of reading lights?
|
|
|
Post by ian on Mar 3, 2017 14:21:59 GMT
The problem is that the people designing the stadium did not consider the environment that grass needs. Numerous stadiums require the pitch to be frequently relaid as a result of designers who do not consider the grass...
This could be another reason for the club to move to a new stadium...
|
|
|
Post by themightyaldo on Mar 3, 2017 18:32:32 GMT
Shoot me down in flame if I'm wrong but didn't the contractors have some sort of guarantee on this new pitch
I thought it was meshed or knitted together in some way and there was a five year life span on it
|
|
|
Post by ox18 on Mar 3, 2017 18:57:55 GMT
Shoot me down in flame if I'm wrong but didn't the contractors have some sort of guarantee on this new pitch I thought it was meshed or knitted together in some way and there was a five year life span on it Although it was re laid in 2015, there was a lot of work done on the pitch in the last close season. Seem to remember them taking the top off and re seeding. You would expect the club will have some claim against the company that carried out the work. It certainly has not been a hard winter that is to blame.
|
|
|
Post by daveoufc on Mar 4, 2017 9:22:56 GMT
I thought the main issue was more about the make up of the sub base and drainage which is 20yrs old and probably hasnt been maintained well all those plasic fibres must go somewhere. Taking the top layer off and re seeding is probably only a temp solution.
|
|
|
Post by old on Mar 5, 2017 11:09:02 GMT
The pitch is in a dreadful condition and something will need to be done to reduce the constant repairs during the summer. Our current landlord was seen at the stadium yesterday and would have seen for himself the state of the pitch. As he is the self-appointed custodian of the club, maybe he will cover the cost of redesigning the roof of the south stand to allow sunlight to help with the playing surface. I believe Colin B posted that Translucent Roof Panel would help along with lamps. Come on Uncle Firoz get your money out and be a true custodian. If not please reflect the cost this will incur by reducing the sale price of the stadium.
|
|
|
Post by sideshowrob on Mar 5, 2017 18:14:51 GMT
I am assume that was tongue in cheek.
|
|