How can a club with 3 home fans afford underpitch heating?!
Years ago I played a match in Ireland with hard packed snow instead of grass and where our flamboyant striker was distracted by snowballs from the opponents few fans. Actually, it was 1995/6 to be honest. I've played in 38degrees heat (rugby) on a sand pitch in winter wear, where I lost over half a stone by the end of the game.
But on Saturday I was at a friendly match between a client club and local rivals where (thanks to underpitch heating) 2 halves were possible in -26degrees. Amazingly almost 25 fans made the 2 hour trip down to watch, while the sum total of 3 home fans sang and jumped for 90minutes. The visitors won 2-1 (having gone a goal behind despite dominating the game) and I don't think I ever felt as cold in my life so wrapped up when the half time whistle went. And the funny thing was that we left -32degrees and everyone was glad of a match.
How can a club with 3 home fans afford underpitch heating?!
Celebrating 130 Years of Athlone Town Football Club - Pride of the Midlands Since 1887
Well, they normally get 2-3,000 fans in per home game, the city gives them a big grant and they've an oil refinery and associated factories in the town. But it's a depressing place overall. Kind of like Tullamore with better weather.
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