Not sure if it’s been highlighted already, but fair play to the club for opening up the use of Oakwell for all the school finals, local Saturday/Sunday League finals and Cup finals, RITC days, Fit Reds Charity Games and other bits and bobs. This hasn’t always been the case for a variety of reasons. Some valid. Also helped by the pitch not being renewed again - which obviously saves some money too. Then we’ve the ‘celebrity game’ coming up, and then the boxing next week. A lot going off! I suppose one question would be, if we’re planning this sort of use each year, would a new hybrid grass pitch be worth the investment. A lot of clubs have gone this route - although the initial investment of nearly £1m is a lot.
For me it’s been allowed due to the boxing next Saturday? I’m led to believe it’s coming up straight after and rumours are they’ve applied to be away first game. Definitely be a quick turnaround to get it ready.
Serious question..... when did they begin replacing the pitch yearly, or so, cos as a young un in the 70's they never did such a thing?
Didn’t get renewed last year either. If it gets renewed, it’s done straight after the last game pretty much. I’d say it’s too late to do now. And, I don’t think it was that bad last season either tbf. Under the early years of Cryne, the pitch wasn’t re-done to allow cost saving. Then eventually they brought it back to yearly. Overall, in the last 30 years, I’d say it’s a 50/50 mix depending on the weather throughout the season, and ultimately what budget we had at the time.
