Plastic pitches in Scotland

[Carheenlea]

Reading a post on a Scottish Football Facebook group, a Stirling Albion supporter had stated that after his sides promotion to League 1, Stirling Albion will be the only club in that division with a grass pitch next season.

Found that quite a surprise.

Does anyone know how many clubs in the Scottish league now have those surfaces?

[Alan62]

Any is too many. I get the practicalities for clubs with no ambition but they shouldn’t be allowed in the top division.


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[Alex Trager]

Maloney said we were getting a hybrid pitch this close season. Is that true? Or rather, does that remain true?

[Hibbyradge]

Maloney said we were getting a hybrid pitch this close season. Is that true? Or rather, does that remain true?

I hope we do get one.

The synthetic part of a hybrid pitch is under the grass and doesn't affect its playability.

[Bristolhibby]

I hope we do get one.

The synthetic part of a hybrid pitch is under the grass and doesn't affect its playability.

They are quality. Pricy though.

Murrayfield being a casein point. It used to be an absolute paddy field during the 6 Nations. Now it’s like a bowling green.

J

[JimBHibees]

Watched bits of Airdrie Hamilton last night both plastic pitches. No thanks. I get the community aspect of it however is a completely different game imo and the quality of them are much better than others.

[Oscar T Grouch]

Reading a post on a Scottish Football Facebook group, a Stirling Albion supporter had stated that after his sides promotion to League 1, Stirling Albion will be the only club in that division with a grass pitch next season.

Found that quite a surprise.

Does anyone know how many clubs in the Scottish league now have those surfaces?

This list is from a couple of years back but still up to date with who has one. They are pretty standard in Scandic countries but a lot of them are moving to hybrid pitches that can take bad weather and high usage. The standard of plastic pitches in Scotland is pretty low but the cost of maintaining a grass pitch in a Scottish winter is prohibitive for a lot of clubs.

Livingston (Premiership)
Kilmarnock (Premiership)
Hamilton (Championship)
Raith Rovers (Championship)
Queen of the South (Championship)
Falkirk (League One)
Clyde (League One)
Montrose (League One)
Cove Rangers (League One)
Alloa Athletic (League One)
Airdrieonians (League One)
Stenhousemuir (League Two)
Forfar Athletic (League Two)
Kelty Hearts (League Two)
Annan Athletic (League Two)

[Alex Trager]

I hope we do get one.

The synthetic part of a hybrid pitch is under the grass and doesn't affect its playability.

LJ said in the press this week we had spent £1M on pitches at ER and EM recently.

Don’t think that sounds like a hybrid has been installed.

I also don’t know if the new pitches are in now, would seem an unusual decision with the close season essentially coming on Thursday (for football at ER).

[LNHibs]

This list is from a couple of years back but still up to date with who has one. They are pretty standard in Scandic countries but a lot of them are moving to hybrid pitches that can take bad weather and high usage. The standard of plastic pitches in Scotland is pretty low but the cost of maintaining a grass pitch in a Scottish winter is prohibitive for a lot of clubs.

Livingston (Premiership)
Kilmarnock (Premiership)
Hamilton (Championship)
Raith Rovers (Championship)
Queen of the South (Championship)
Falkirk (League One)
Clyde (League One)
Montrose (League One)
Cove Rangers (League One)
Alloa Athletic (League One)
Airdrieonians (League One)
Stenhousemuir (League Two)
Forfar Athletic (League Two)
Kelty Hearts (League Two)
Annan Athletic (League Two)

What is worse is that there is so many good pitches in the lowland/EOS leagues. Dunbar for example is always pristine so i don't understand how professional league clubs can't maintain. I get lower leagues who have community obligations but should never be an option in the top flight

[Smartie]

What is worse is that there is so many good pitches in the lowland/EOS leagues. Dunbar for example is always pristine so i don't understand how professional league clubs can't maintain. I get lower leagues who have community obligations but should never be an option in the top flight

Traditionally the big stands caused problems, with stuff like sunlight, wind and drainage being issues but I think there’s technology available to combat that now (albeit it is expensive).

I don’t think there are many ways of getting around the fact that playing repeat games on a soft pitch in a short space of time tears it up and causes terrible damage that is almost impossible to repair in the depths of winter.

[superfurryhibby]

LJ said in the press this week we had spent £1M on pitches at ER and EM recently.

Don’t think that sounds like a hybrid has been installed.

I also don’t know if the new pitches are in now, would seem an unusual decision with the close season essentially coming on Thursday (for football at ER).

I assumed our pitch has had work recently, it's definitely looking better around the goalmouth areas.

[CentreLine]

I assumed our pitch has had work recently, it's definitely looking better around the goalmouth areas.

Nature I guess. Water and warmth brings growth. Suppose it happens every year about this time 🤞🏻

[Jones28]

Nature I guess. Water and warmth brings growth. Suppose it happens every year about this time 🤞🏻

The head groundsman is on Twitter and he’s working on it every day.

Like you say though, nature doing its work. Been a cool spring and whilst we do have light rigs we can’t cover the whole pitch in them.

[Gus]

Any is too many. I get the practicalities for clubs with no ambition but they shouldn’t be allowed in the top division.


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I do agree that they shouldn’t be anywhere near elite football but clubs with no ambition? Think it’s clubs who are trying to generate income to be able to compete in a difficult market.

[JeMeSouviens]

I do agree that they shouldn’t be anywhere near elite football but clubs with no ambition? Think it’s clubs who are trying to generate income to be able to compete in a difficult market.

Yes, club A with plastic pitch gets to spend less than club B with a grass one, so when club A does it, clubs B, C and D do it too to compete. That's why we need regulations to outlaw them.