The Pitch…..what can be done about it?

One thing that has surprised me (and I'm not taking the p***) about this fiasco is the claims that our pitch "plays well" with next to no grass on it. I'm no pitch expert, and I have no idea about the things really, but it sounds ludicrous that a pitch can play well with no grass? Is this special sand we have an adequate surface for professional football?

 

I agree with this.

I like the original post from @Bigrod and thank you to @wetherbywhaler for his explanation.

I'm interested in the science behind it as much as anything and I think, like @Stafford Bantam that different solutions are needed at different times and I feel what is lacking is some kind of cover that prevents heavy rain, day after day from getting to the pitch surface. It would need drainage to get the water out of the ground. There's times that we need rain covers, some times we need the covers we saw yesterday and some times nothing.

I suspect they'll be expensive, clearly, but to the point @wetherbywhaler makes - if Bradford is one of the wetest areas in the country then the pitch protection and covers needs a different solution to 95% of the rest of the country and that might unfortunately mean that it requires more/different investment as compared to Sutton or Blackpool or whoever where the climate is different. We can't say "oh it's the climate" and then just do the same as everyone else because then we'll definitely not solve the unique problems of our location.

 

Absolutely spot on !!!

 

Worked alright for Stevenage when they built their new stand and asked fans if they wanted to take up a debenture to build the stand with the possibility of getting back double their money.

Condition 1 was that if they get promoted to league one then fans get their initial investment back. If they make it to the Championship then the club pay double the money back to the fans.

It's not such a pie in the sky suggestion as some think.

 

We have obviously invested shed loads of money on the pitch. However, it has not been enough for our climate here in Bradford. We now need a unique solution so that we can be confident of playing our matches when scheduled. I am in the “can do” camp, there is a problem let’s sort it. We do not need second hand solutions; as outlined Bradford is unique and we need a bespoke solution.


We need to look at all the solutions before we even think about costs. Let’s explore what is out there first before shutting the door on any suggestion. Buy cheap, buy twice. We need a solution that fulfils our need to play football all year round.

When we think about cost we have to take into account how many matches we lose and the cost to the club, plus what we are facing this season trying to cram in more matches to a decreasing time frame. What if the players run out of steam or further injuries and we are denied a slot in the playoffs as a result? How much will that cost us?

 

Don't fancy improving Mr Rupps chances of making an undeserved healthy return on his s investment then !!!
Me neither

 

Exactly, and what about the cost to us mugs, had to stay in the pub that long yesterday I nearly had to get a round in ...!!

 

Sorry Dennis but those comments about depth no longer apply post the work in 2018 which I personally witnessed. The current drainage is at a level that will collect and dispose of water and these is no impermeable layer that ‘fills’ the substrata back as high as the surface. Suggest you also read the comments of GA in today’s T&A as to why the call off was late yesterday.
I spoke to Mick Doyle at 9.15 all was well and apparently better than Wycombe then the heavens opened. Even then the view was delaying the kick would make things playable but the torrent never stopped.

 

If they don’t want to sell what else is VP going to be used for? They will sell has they won’t have any rent going in and will have to pay maintenance for it.

So, they will sell to someone even if it’s a property company, to knock down VP and build houses. Either way they will sell!

 

They have us over a barrel mate. They know we need a place to play football or we get kicked out of the league. So they know if we either refuse to negotiate a rental contract we will place the club in a precarious position. As you say they can sell it to someone else. By far the most profitable position for them is to renegotiate a rental agreement.

 

We have two drainage systems under the pitch, One is a deep system installed in the Premier league and drains in to the Midland road public drainage via channels under the midland road stand, The second is a top system where drainage channels are dug approx 1 metre deep at intervals across the pitch filled with drainage infill. This was done in 2018 with an assurance that if looked after then the pitch would not waterlog. Of course one of the problems with the pitch is in the past it was higher in the middle than the edges witch aided natura drainage off the pitch but nowadays the pitch is Korrowed each season which has levelled the playing surface which is good for football but not for drainage,
If we are to continue as a professional club and remain at VP then the best but not cheapest solution is to install a Desso Grandmaster pitch as Leeds and Hudders and most Premier League club have done to ensure the best surface [possible

 

The rent at VP is unsustainable, It is £500,000 a year now plus running costs that total over a million a season, The present rent was subject to inflation increases every five years and a similar agreement would see the club having to find £2 million a year in 10 years time, We need to buy or move but doing nothing would see the end of BCFC as a league club

 

What is a Desso pitch?

 

Another fancy toy which is out of our league.

 

It would be interesting to know just how many games have been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch since the work was carried out to the pitch in 2018, but prior to this winter when we have experienced significantly higher rainfall than in previous winters. There have been a few called off due to a frozen pitch, and let's not pretend that's something only our pitch is affected by, plenty of league 2 and league 1 teams face the same problem when temperatures plummet. I also seem to remember a few games being postponed due to Covid because of players testing positive, but other than this winter, I don't recall any other recent postponements for a waterlogged pitch. I'm happy to be proved wrong, but it does seem to me that it's this year's wetter than average winter that's done it for us.

 

So no constructive answer to both question just the usual stuff you offer , I was hoping you'd give a more indepth reply.
I'm not sure it would be that easy to sell and get planning for building houses as you say, who in their right minds would buy a new property in that area.
So I'll ask again, our lease is up in 4/5 years we will then sit down with our landlord and discuss the situation with regards Valley Parade going forward (there may have already done some negotiations on that Sparks have said we've spoken with Gordon Gibb). these people aren't stupid they will know Bradford City don't have an alternative with regards upping sticks and going elsewhere to play football, so like it or not they are in the driving seat and I would assume they will determine the rent and the duration of the lease so Bradford City AFC cant just walk away without some penalty clause.

 

Nothing this season but for a start for next season i would shove the tinpot games to another venue.
If crowds are around the 1,500k mark then put it at one of the local non league grounds or even Odsal ?????