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Just watched the Morecambe full match replay noting DC’s complaints about the pitch.The drainage might have improved, but it looks shocking, notably in front of the West Stand.
When originally laid about 17 years ago, I recall the hype about integrated chopped rubber bands making the bounce consistent and new grass technologies. It was pristine until the long time groundsman from Layer Road (Dave) left to become a Tesco delivery driver. I’m not convinced it ever recovered from the music concerts and the experiments with contract ground staff. According to DC, the new groundsman is apparently working like a Trojan trying to find a remedy, but Winter isn’t the time for positive results.
OK, it’s the same for both teams, but I reckon it currently benefits thugs and hoofball, not the style of football DC wants to play or we want to watch. Even clubs that share with Rugby have better surfaces. It’s sad we are blighted by this.
Was at the stadium on Monday and saw the pitch being cut. Looked great from where I was standing although ground level and peeking through a hole in the gates probably isn't the best view!
Just seen the photos on the club's X feed - pitch looks amazing!
With the announcement that Ipshite Women's team will be playing on it this season and our under-21's will also be playing more games on it let's hope it stands up to the test
With the announcement that Ipshite Women's team will be playing on it this season and our under-21's will also be playing more games on it let's hope it stands up to the test
We can only hope the work being done over the close-season will enable the pitch to withstand such frequent use. But, even if Ipswich Town are paying a substantial amount for the privilege, their women and their under-21's added to Colchester's under-21's are going to have the groundsmen hard at it.
It has been announced today that Ipswich Women will play home games at the stadium for the next two seasons. That won't help the wear and tear.
Hopefully with the extra games being U21 and Women's football, it's not going to take the battering that League 2 cloggers subject it to? Still, with cup games included, that's going to be more than one game per week on average. I would imagine ITFC will be on the hook to contribute to any emergency remedial work, but fingers crossed it isn't needed.
Apparently Tractors paid for the pitch renovation, so more likely get the games on a freebie.
Tractor girls had to find a better stadium for coming season having gained promotion but why they couldn't play at Portman Rd is beyond me. Hopefully the new pitch will be good but does show I guess how our budget has been slashed by RC. Hopefully we will hear soon about the takeover.
Tractor girls had to find a better stadium for coming season having gained promotion but why they couldn't play at Portman Rd is beyond me. Hopefully the new pitch will be good but does show I guess how our budget has been slashed by RC. Hopefully we will hear soon about the takeover.
I guess it's a question of cost? Before now the Ladies ITFC were apparently playing at Felixstowe but it's not up to scratch for the level they'll be playing at next season. It's probably cheaper to pay us rent and/or cover the pitch renovation costs than opening up and staffing Portman Road for a few hundred supporters per match. Probably the same reason why our U21s and Women's team don't play at the JobServe.
"Just for your information, Ipswich didn't pay for the pitch works in the summer. The chairman Robbie Cowling did. It was an investment that the Ipswich games will contribute ROI but Ipswich have had no involvement in the summer works or maintenance budgets/plans for this season"
"Just for your information, Ipswich didn't pay for the pitch works in the summer. The chairman Robbie Cowling did. It was an investment that the Ipswich games will contribute ROI but Ipswich have had no involvement in the summer works or maintenance budgets/plans for this season"
Brad Jefferies (Head Groundsman)
Before I drop to my knees and extol this news. Can I just ask.......
.....for a friend.
1. Why was the pitch ever allowed to get in the state it did?
2. Similarly why was the stadium neglected so much that the BWA were raising funds for basic stadium maintenance?
3. Why did last years drainage works look to be no more than a half-arsed attempt that had limited impact?
4. With an apparent imminent sale of the club and the potential to pimp out our ground to rivals, how come all of a sudden there's money available to do the job properly?
5. What has 33 million and constant player sales been spent on? To my knowledge, no other L2 club comes close to that sort of debt and what have we had in return?
6. Whilst the decline both on and off the pitch cannot come to an end quick enough for me, how easy can it be to sell something where you have created accounts that show such heavy losses whilst simultaneously sinking down the divisions?
Before I drop to my knees and extol this news. Can I just ask.......
.....for a friend.
1. Why was the pitch ever allowed to get in the state it did?
2. Similarly why was the stadium neglected so much that the BWA were raising funds for basic stadium maintenance?
3. Why did last years drainage works look to be no more than a half-arsed attempt that had limited impact?
4. With an apparent imminent sale of the club and the potential to pimp out our ground to rivals, how come all of a sudden there's money available to do the job properly?
5. What has 33 million and constant player sales been spent on? To my knowledge, no other L2 club comes close to that sort of debt and what have we had in return?
6. Whilst the decline both on and off the pitch cannot come to an end quick enough for me, how easy can it be to sell something where you have created accounts that show such heavy losses whilst simultaneously sinking down the divisions?
7. Is the worst deed of this tenure yet to come?
All valid questions from your friend of which I can answer none just thought it was interesting and contrary to popular belief amongst the fans. I think the BWA do an amazing job by the way and have picked up stuff that shouldn't need to be done by a supporters group but all credit to them for making the stadium a far, far better place for a U's fan.
Weird that our groundsman covers more ground than our players on a match day!
It certainly is excellent viewing and well worth watching in its entirety.
The bloke (and his team) are legends and probably our best signing for years. What he doesn't know about the subject isn't worth knowing. You would think he has 40 years of experience.
It just shows that it's not simply about throwing money at the pitch. It's knowledge, dedication and lots of hard work, he has all of that in abundance.
The transformation from previous years is truly remarkable and if anyone deserves an award this season it's the ground staff.
Excellent ground staff, very capable management/backroom team, a half decent squad put together on a shoestring, the BWA, the best fans in the EFL, we are getting there, let's hope they can soon get the right leadership and financial backing that they all deserve.
You have to wonder how much of this is down to DC/NC, because this video doesn't correlate in any way to the atmosphere that was around the club before DC/NC arrived.
Probably best not to invite Brad round if you’re having a barbie. By the time he’s finished telling you where you’re going wrong with your lawn, you won’t know your arse from your elbow and the sausages will be cinders.
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