I am sure everyone is aware that it has been the wettest January and February, if not ever, definitely for a very long time. This part of the country has been fortunate as far as flooding is concerned, our friends down south have certainly had to endure the brunt of the major disruptions caused during this period. From a football point of view, the consequences of above average rainfall is the postponement of matches. This leads to a backlog of games, and with a deadline to meet to complete all their matches, teams will have to play at least twice a week, and many three times, for the remainder of the season. Since the beginning of the year, that is throughout January and February, Thackley have managed just four games, only one of which has been possible at Dennyfield. They are not alone in this respect, as most other clubs have suffered similar postponements, and some have fared much worse. It is at times like these that the age old question is asked, 'Should artificial grass be used by football clubs?'
Artificial grass being used for football turf has always been a controversial subject. Synthetic pitches have been used by some professional clubs in England in the past, Luton Town, Oldham Athletic and QPR have all played on them. However, because some felt that this sort of surface was responsible for players collecting injuries, clubs were prohibited from using them in the late 1980's. Times have changed and technology has improve significantly, which has seen a resurgence, particularly on the continent, in the acceptance of synthetic pitches. In the UK, quite a number of clubs in the lower Scottish Leagues now play on artificial surfaces and the FA have permitted the use of this type of turf for FA Trophy matches. FIFA, also permit artificial surfaces to be used for Champion League ties.
The obvious benefit of using an artificial surface is that very few matches would need to be postponed during a season. There are of course many other pluses, one being that the surface suffers virtually no damage, it therefore can be used constantly, most are utilised for up to sixteen hours a day. As well as playing matches, players would be able to train on the pitches, they could also be hired out for many different sports, which would bring in extra revenue for clubs. Add to this, the lower maintenance costs involved and it makes quite a lot of sense for smaller clubs to adopt this sort of synthetic playing surface. The Northern Counties East League will allow matches to be played on this type of turf provided it meets the FIFA standard.
There are some drawbacks of course, the major one being the capital cost of installation, which is likely to be over £250,000. Technology has improved the surface and players are much happier playing on it, but many feel that they are more likely to sustain an injury than on a normal grass pitch. I am from the old school, and for me, watching a match on an artificial surface takes something away from the game. Football grounds have a certain personality, their size, their surroundings and the playing surface. I know I am a bit of a dinosaur, but I say, let us stick with what we have got and suffer a few postponements.
Although the weather has caused problems with the fixture list over the past couple of months, Thackley suffered a rather embarrassing floodlight failure during the period, for whilst maintenance work was being carried out, contractors dropped one of the pylons as it was being lowered to the ground to replace a bulb. The work needed to be done to enable the floodlights to be tested, a requirement for Thackley's application for promotion to the Evo-Stik League. Some other minor work needs to be carried out at the ground, to make sure that the ground meets the required standard for promotion to the higher level. The work has all to be completed by the 31st March, then all the Dennyboys have to do is finish the season as champions.
From the few games that have been played, Thackley have had a reasonably successful opening to the year, with just one defeat and three victories from the four matches that have been possible. The defeat came against local rivals Brighouse Town at their ground, 4-2 seemed to flatter the hosts somewhat, but overall they deserved their victory. Three wins against clubs struggling a bit in the league, Winterton Rangers, Parkgate and Maltby are all in the lower reaches of the table, but all the victories were pretty comfortable. Maltby were in a rather false position, they had twelve points deducted from their total for playing an ineligible player on four occasions.
March is going to be a busy month for the Dennyboys, with ten matches already programmed, which means mid week games throughout the month, normally just one, but two are scheduled for the week commencing 24th March, four games in eight days. Thackley are still in the League Cup, their opponents in the 3rd Round are Heanor Town, this is one of the mid week games programmed for March. The clubs have already met twice this season in the league, and so far the honours are even, both recording home victories. The tie is likely to be a close affair, especially as it is to be played at their ground
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