deljohnstone Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Dear Derek Winter weather With Scotland experiencing its worst winter in over 30 years, it was never going to be an easy time for SPL groundsmen. Already this season, we have seen 10 SPL games called off, and one abandonment – in each case due to the exceptionally harsh weather that we have seen since the onset of winter. The 12 head groundsmen of our clubs are struggling to battle the snow and ice. Having to juggle the competing demands of pitch covers, irrigation systems and under soil heating presents a huge challenge. And creating a match pitch that meets the requirements of the SPL’s rules is a far from simple task. An adequate standard of pitch Against that backdrop, the SPL Board has to determine whether clubs are maintaining an “adequate standard of pitch”. At each league match, the SPL sends an official match delegate. And part of his job is to assess the pitch and award it a mark out of five. These marks are collected and kept, to give the Board a complete historical picture of how each club’s pitch is performing over a season. When a pitch starts to perform poorly, this is quickly picked up by the SPL and allows us to take whatever action is required. It is vital, for the integrity of the league competition, that each club is treated even-handedly and does not receive a competitive advantage by playing its home games on a surface that is not fit for Scotland’s premier football competition. Motherwell After the events of last season, when Motherwell’s pitch caused serious concern, the Fir Park pitch was ripped up. In conjunction with the SPL’s own specialists, a programme of reconstruction work took place, at huge expense to Motherwell, last summer. And, it is fair to say, up until the huge snowfalls in December, the Fir Park pitch was behaving well – on average it received a mark of 4.5 out of five. But the last three games at Fir Park have made it clear that the surface has recently been inadequate for Scottish Premier League football. As a result, the SPL has to determine what to do about the situation. Remedial action We have inspected the pitch twice over the last week, since the Hibernian game there on Saturday. And we have met with representatives from Motherwell, including their head groundsman and pitch experts that have been brought in by the Club. Motherwell are undertaking an extensive (and expensive) series of remedial works this week. The Club have given firm assurances that the remedial works will give the pitch far more stability and will be safe for play this weekend. On that basis, we have decided to allow the match against Kilmarnock to go ahead at Fir Park. However, we will be sending our pitch experts to review the state of the surface pre-match, during the game and post-match. If the remedial works prove insufficient to create a safe, stable, adequate surface, we will revisit the situation next week. Balance At a time when money is so tight and the winter so harsh, it is important that the SPL is supportive of its clubs and their efforts to get games on. But it is also vital that the integrity of the league competition is not compromised by playing surfaces that are inadequate. The decision to allow the Motherwell game to go ahead this weekend was a difficult decision – but one that we consider fairest to everyone in the circumstances. Neil Doncaster, SPL Chief Executive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlay Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 By the sounds of that if the pitch cuts up this Saturday like it did against Hibs we will be looking at our home games being played elsewhere till the end of the season. With the weather as it is just now our pitch surely can't stand a chance. Could see this game being off. Expensive?? Great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfc Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 the fact he mentions a couple of times theyve allowed saturdays game to go ahead is a bit worryin.saturday could be the final straw and we might be forced to play elsewhere its no lookin good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madwullie Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 If playing home games away is what it will take to get it sorted then I'm all for it. Better now when we're more or less safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well_Jaggy Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I vote our "home" games (should they be moved) be played at either Killie or St Mirren...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rammer Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I vote our "home" games (should they be moved) be played at either Killie or St Mirren...... Aye, Killie would be good Well_Jaggy. Or better still, why not Somerset Park where we can have a bit of nostalgia with the old terracing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazzie Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 We've got a wee bit of time after the Killie game until our next home fixture anyway so hopefully something will be able to get done inbetween times so we don't have to leave the 'Ark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Two weeks isn't exactly a long time, although I'm confident that it wouldn't come to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazzie Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Oh aye, forgot that Hearts game was moved. I was thinking we didn't have a home game until April after saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Bezzer! Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Neil Doncaster was just on the radio. Sounded like he'll be sympathetic and fair provided we take measures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobey_Dosser Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Folk involved in constructing our new pitch should be ashamed of themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlay Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Neil Doncaster was just on the radio. Sounded like he'll be sympathetic and fair provided we take measures. Agreed but if the park is a riot before, during, or after our match on Saturday action WILL be taken this time. Playing away from Fir Park on a half decent surface, allowing us to treat our pitch over a longer time period, might not be a bad thing for our chances of a Europa League finish and prevent this happening (to the extent it has) next year. I suppose the next question is where we would play? Livi? Airdrie? Hampden? Who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yir Elder Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 At last some common sense from those in authority. It is obvious that Motherwell have done everything possible, but the worst winter in decades has caused this, not negligence on the club's part. Here's hoping the remedial; action is good enough for Saturday to pass without any problems. After that we'll have two weeks before the Jambos roll into town, and a further three weeks after that until Easter weekend and the visit of the Bairns. That should allow some time to work on the pitch properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
real dosser Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I think we should go to General George and buy a F*****G great big roll end of green carpet, put it down on Friday night, lift it after the game and keep it under the South stand till we need it again. Doncaster talks a load of S***e. What happens if the pitch cuts up on Saturday ???? He has already pointed out that we did what we did during the close season under the watchful eye of " AN SPL SUPERVISOR". What more can Motherwell do ?? Where does he suggest we go ?? Every park in Scotland (almost) looks in a bloody awful state at present. The SPL is at its usual sabre rattling against one of the wee diddy teams again Why the F**k don't they take action against the mould firm for their continued sectarian songs and chants we hear every week. Sky and ESPN broadcast their vile spoutings every week and I think that is a worse face to present to the rest of the country than the fact that we are having difficulties with the pitch at present. Old Firm game on Sky on Sunday. Listen out for the home presbyterian support giving us rousing choruses from CH3 Sellic in reply giving us their repertoire of ditties of auld Erin. Get your priorities right Doncaster FFS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweed Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Whilst in no way condoning secretarian singing nobody's going to get hurt. Imagine a Killie player trips over a some rotten bit of pitch on Saturday and breaks his neck - they could sue the ass of the SPL for making them play on it. Nobody will be suing them because the Rangers fans decided they fancied a rendition of the Billy Boys. Reading the above Doncaster seems more interested in ensuring the safety of players and finding a short term solution than hammering us. He'll know the SPL cannot punish us for the condition of our pitch when we have consulted them every step of the way and they have OK'd what we have done. Oh and while we maybe did the right thing in the summer lets not forget if we had done this the summer before like we should have this pitch would have bedded in last year during a much less harsh winter and we could have one of the best pitches in Scotland now. However whats done is done and I feel both the club and the SPL are working together to sort this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onthefringes Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 At last some common sense from those in authority. It is obvious that Motherwell have done everything possible, but the worst winter in decades has caused this, not negligence on the club's part. If I hear that one more time I'll scream... Teams the length and breadth of the British Isles had their 'worst winter in decades' also. In recent times, promoted teams have required to remove their existing pitch, install undersoil heating, construct and extend the playing surface from seed in similar timescales. St Mirren did this on the cheap, knowing it was for 2 years duration and yet no major problems. Difference? Head groundsman claims he "knew the pitch would experience problems". Inconsistent performance by our head groundsman? You still with us? Progressive downturn in pitch quality, year on year. Suggests awareness of their limitations and yet no action taken? Despite what has been said elsewhere, snow and cold temperatures (even at the temperature range experienced) on their own do little damage to the grass whatsoever. The snow was cleared from a good surface on Boxing Day, again, what was the requirement to have them on and the undersoil heating working? Well, when snow acts as an insulation for the period it lies dormant, thaws and our new drainage system would come into play. Our pitch has succumbed to the process of 'leaching' mentioned elsewhere, not of the pitch contractors making either. The pitch dried out as heat was added. To enhance the feeder and keep moisture in the pitch and allowing to bind, why was a sprinkler not employed? I'd suggest inappropriate use down to the groundstaff... Getting the picture? Industry chat mentions a common denominator... In conclusion, it appears Motherwells' groundstaff have a lot to answer for. There is another deep rooted (no pun intended) problem, unlikely to be conqured until our move to the other side of the West Coast Main Line... simplified and shamelessly stolen from P&B* *Why the media and all who follow mention mud, when it's a dry sand based mixture is beyond me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjw Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 'Whilst in no way condoning secretarian singing nobody's going to get hurt' There will be a few accident and emergency departments throughout scotland that might disagree with that statement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfc Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 it says that extensive work is being done on the pitch this week does anybody know wits gettin done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
real dosser Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Tweed the point I was trying to make was that there are far more important things that Mr Doncaster should be worrying about than the state of the pitch at Fir Park. For how many years have we heard about the SPL eradicating sectarian chants and songs from the Old Firm ?? Doncaster should be addressing issues like that instead of getting his 15 minutes of fame in the Daily Rancid by "sorting out " the state of Fir Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoF Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 If I hear that one more time I'll scream... Teams the length and breadth of the British Isles had their 'worst winter in decades' also. In recent times, promoted teams have required to remove their existing pitch, install undersoil heating, construct and extend the playing surface from seed in similar timescales. St Mirren did this on the cheap, knowing it was for 2 years duration and yet no major problems. Difference? Head groundsman claims he "knew the pitch would experience problems". Inconsistent performance by our head groundsman? You still with us? Progressive downturn in pitch quality, year on year. Suggests awareness of their limitations and yet no action taken? Despite what has been said elsewhere, snow and cold temperatures (even at the temperature range experienced) on their own do little damage to the grass whatsoever. The snow was cleared from a good surface on Boxing Day, again, what was the requirement to have them on and the undersoil heating working? Well, when snow acts as an insulation for the period it lies dormant, thaws and our new drainage system would come into play. Our pitch has succumbed to the process of 'leaching' mentioned elsewhere, not of the pitch contractors making either. The pitch dried out as heat was added. To enhance the feeder and keep moisture in the pitch and allowing to bind, why was a sprinkler not employed? I'd suggest inappropriate use down to the groundstaff... Getting the picture? Industry chat mentions a common denominator... In conclusion, it appears Motherwells' groundstaff have a lot to answer for. There is another deep rooted (no pun intended) problem, unlikely to be conqured until our move to the other side of the West Coast Main Line... simplified and shamelessly stolen from P&B* *Why the media and all who follow mention mud, when it's a dry sand based mixture is beyond me How dae yoo kno so much aboot grass and soil and aw that shit? I'm just curious, out of all the folk on here who say the groundsmen have nackered the pitch, you seem to be the only one who can back that argument up. That's assuming what you say is in fact a fact fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onthefringes Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Only offering opinion, informed in part. Contact at the pitch designers can help mind. If I hadn't played the class clown at school, I'd never have been involved in formation treatment, soil dynamics, geo-technics, ground stability, drainage and vegetation addition. I now deliver papers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML1 Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ell/8535722.stm A difficult decision for the SPL to allow the game to go ahead on Saturday accoring to Doncaster Broon on the other hand says all is well , didnt take him long to pick it up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcalf Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Difficult decision my arse, it's not great but it's playable so we get on with it. Too many fannies running oor game. I hope Killie decide they can't play fitba' on it as well like Hibs and Rangers cos we'll beat them tae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlay Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Kinda surprised there has been no official statement with pics of new work up on the website yet. Especially considering how good the communication has been recently. Sadly, I just don't think we will have had enough time (and money) this week to get the pitch up to the standard Doncaster wants it at. I might be wrong and I hope I am but a similar surface to the one at the weekend and we will be discussing on Monday night what ground the Hearts game will be played at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinBragg Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 The thing that gets me about this whole (non)-story is the fact that the referees keep declaring it playable. Are the SPL suggesting that the referees can't see if we've simply got the pitch ready for 3pm and that they're not wise enough to see if a pitch will deteriorate during a game? I'd be interested to hear Mr Dallas' take on the fact that Doncaster is suggesting that his boys are letting these games go ahead in unsafe conditions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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