Will Dundalk have to

**Dodge** · 27/11/2008, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by jinxy lilywhite

Then your missing the point as well. Could we not of picked up the majority of our points because we have a superior team with a superior budget to attract the best players in the 1st division.

You might have. But being only team to play on the plastic every week absolutely gives you an advantage. There's no question about it.

**holidaysong** · 27/11/2008, 11:53 AM

Surely then we have a disadvantage when we go and play on grass..

**Black and White** · 27/11/2008, 12:17 PM

Chap that i work with weas telling me today in the canteen that a the club got the go ahead with the current pitch...that would be great if it where true...hes a season ticket holder and knows a few on the board!

Basically put forward to the FAI that ripping it up would kill us straight away money wise...thats what has saved us from going bust...great revenue generated from it week in week out...esp in the of seaqson when Dundalk arent playing!

**pineapple stu** · 27/11/2008, 12:20 PM

So...you built a pitch to save yourself from going bust, spent the profits on your squad, but then forget to factor in replacing the pitch, and now can't afford this, but you're going to plead puppy dog eyes?

**Black and White** · 27/11/2008, 12:52 PM

No....over spending nearly ruined us a good few years ago...the pitch has generated extra revenue from which has increased are season budget over the past few years which enabled us to attract better palyers whcih has now resulted in promotion...we wouldnt be able to compete to our full potential next season if it cost us all that money to rip the pitch up and relay it again on top of trying to attract a whole crop of better palyers to keep us in the Premier Division next season...u ****!

And anyway...the FAI owe us a favour from two years ago....John Gills successful first season with us!!!

**pineapple stu** · 27/11/2008, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Black and White

we wouldnt be able to compete to our full potential next season if it cost us all that money to rip the pitch up and relay it again on top of trying to attract a whole crop of better palyers to keep us in the Premier Division next season

But if the pitch has to be relaid (and I don't know if it does or not), then you can't spend all the money on your team and not leave any aside for relaying the pitch. You can't just say "How could we afford that as well as our nice expensive team?"

**Dodge** · 27/11/2008, 1:01 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

But if the pitch has to be relaid (and I don't know if it does or not), then you can't spend all the money on your team and not leave any aside for relaying the pitch. You can't just say "How could we afford that as well as our nice expensive team?"

In fairness I think they mean that PP makes money so not only do they have to pay to change it, but they're losinga revenue stream too.

I should point out I've no problem with it...

**pineapple stu** · 27/11/2008, 1:05 PM

I agree with that alright, but if this was something they knew about since they got the pitch laid down, then they shouldn't be trying to weasel out of it with "we've no money" arguments, having spent all the money on the team.

But then this brings me back to the query I had in the first place (and indeed, gufct at the start of the thread), which basically was whether the above assumption is correct.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 27/11/2008, 2:03 PM

1) The current pitch is below uefa/fifa spec. When it was installed it was within spec but the rules have since changed. Dundalk Fc and the pitch installers are in contact with one another as to upgrade the pitch and who is liable for the charges.
2) The majority of the cost of the artifical surface was the installation. It was putting in the edges/kerbing and the foundation under the pitch. So to rip that up would be a big costly job and to revert to grass would probably kill us.

In essesence only the surface needs to be replaced and will be replaced before start of the new season or whenever the tests will take place. I would plead with the club not just to get the one thats closest to spec but to get the best effin one there is so this problem doesn't occur again and it needs maintenance then so be it.

BTW I wish people would stop linking our surface to the QPR, Luton town and Oldham type of surface. Those where completely different types of surfaces to what we have

**Dodge** · 27/11/2008, 2:52 PM

Elfsborg had a plastic pitch. You wouldn't think it while watching the game though. Superb

**pineapple stu** · 27/11/2008, 3:25 PM

Originally Posted by jinxy lilywhite

1) The current pitch is below uefa/fifa spec. When it was installed it was within spec but the rules have since changed. Dundalk Fc and the pitch installers are in contact with one another as to upgrade the pitch and who is liable for the charges.
2) The majority of the cost of the artifical surface was the installation. It was putting in the edges/kerbing and the foundation under the pitch. So to rip that up would be a big costly job and to revert to grass would probably kill us.

In essesence only the surface needs to be replaced and will be replaced before start of the new season or whenever the tests will take place. I would plead with the club not just to get the one thats closest to spec but to get the best effin one there is so this problem doesn't occur again and it needs maintenance then so be it.

Makes much more sense; cheers!

**passerrby** · 28/11/2008, 4:27 PM

but if you put the best pitch that money can buy ,your only hope of maintaining that star level is to close it to all but senior football otherwise a year of rental will result in it losing its uefa status

**Buller** · 28/11/2008, 4:45 PM

Originally Posted by baddebt

i see the issue of the pitch and having the advantage is already an issue and has been mentioned on MNS.
If it was an advantage for us then we would have been unbeaten at home since we got the surface in.
when your on it , it just feels like your on a grass pitch.
I hope Drogheda don't get relegated , because it will be a pleasure taking 3pts of them at home and away next season.

I've played in oriel and its grand... definately not a real advantage for the other team.