pitch

[own brain]

when it was announced we'd be getting the plazzy pitch, it was hinted we'd let teams come and try i out before the game. did wakey take up this option, and if so do we charge them the going rate?

heard a whisper haven are using it at the weekend.

[AB]

Heard we revoked the idea of the other teams training on it, and instead let a few reps from each club to have a look at the pitch.

[greggs69]

Im sure I read something early this week/late last week stating all clubs were invited but not one took the offer up!  Am sure it also said as part of the same article that a lot of teams train on this type of pitch so wont be completely unfamiliar. 

[Peter]

Im sure I read something early this week/late last week stating all clubs were invited but not one took the offer up!  Am sure it also said as part of the same article that a lot of teams train on this type of pitch so wont be completely unfamiliar. 

There has been a similar pitch at the local leisure centre here for a few years and it is well used by some professional football clubs in the winter for training.

[portsmouth_viking]

Is there any chance that training on that all year round could give way to "heavy legs" when they play away at Bradford for example?

[JonM]

Don't know what the weather in Widnes is like, but there's no way anyone is using a grass pitch in East Anglia on Friday night. Plastic pitch might prove its worth on its first outing.

[rayvon]

Don't know what the weather in Widnes is like, but there's no way anyone is using a grass pitch in East Anglia on Friday night. Plastic pitch might prove its worth on its first outing.

Weill it was -2 at 8pm last night, and -5 at 8am this morning, and forcast to get colder, so you may be right
Ipitch rules..... 

[neilw]

Don't know what the weather in Widnes is like, but there's no way anyone is using a grass pitch in East Anglia on Friday night. Plastic pitch might prove its worth on its first outing.

It will Jon as is currently about -1 - 1 above at best maybe 2 above if in direct sunlight which the pitch under the South stand will not be. Apparently due to be about 2 above again tomorrow with evening temp of -2 - 1 above. So I agree first outing will prove pitch investment has paid off in part. If all other games are called off over the weekend as temperatures remain low then just strengthens the worth of I-Pitch.

[DLM]

would be a disaster though if have to call first ipitch game off due to the weather!

DLM

[neilw]

would be a disaster though if have to call first ipitch game off due to the weather!

DLM

Not going to happen because of the pitch though, SOC said can play on it down to -5. Only reason for calling it off would be unsafe steps in the stand or footpaths outside and around the stadium. The club or council IMO should be get tonnes of salt ready to spread out around the ground tomorrow and up and down the steps inside the stadium. To be honest though if there is no rain I cannot see any issue in these areas either. It has been very cold and below freezing all of this week but all road and pavements have been ice free as there is none or very little moisture in the air or on the hard surfaces that can be frozen. So if salt goes down only a down pour (washing salt away) followed by an immediate drop below freezing could cause issues AIMHO.

[greggs69]

Just had a meeting in one of the boxes at the stadium and the pitch looks AWESOME!  Watts and Briscoe were doing some light running on it so doubt there is any issue whatsoever with regard to playability.  Markings painted on the pitch, and two nice big Vikings logos underneath each post.  Excitment levels just doubled!!

[Steve]

Just talking to our postie, who works with Sprogger.
Allegedly, Sprogger suggested this morning that game may be in doubt due to frozen pitch!

After remonstrating with postie, I am a bit cautious!

Fingers crossed!

[J20]

would be a disaster though if have to call first ipitch game off due to the weather!

DLM

Sod that, we may ended holding our own magic weekend season opener 

[Toffee297]

NO WAY the game will be called off the do you think after all the hype about the benifits of this pitch being available at all times, it would fall at the first hurdle ? I think not - There is no rain forcast so no ice around the ground, spread some salt as a precausion but the game will be played

[Peter]

Sod that, we may ended holding our own magic weekend season opener 

Provided they have got the seat heating in the South Stand on full.