See Eastbourne Borough are going to install a 3G pitch, it must be an idea that Hastings should think about, as players could train on the pitch, facilities could be hired out all year round, initial outlay would obviously be costly, but income generation over the year would surely mean it pays for itself, and the club would attract more people to the PF, and it might even be possible to have the club house open 7 days a week.
I agree with Chris that the club should consider in detail whether a 3G pitch would be beneficial. I'm sure some will be dead set against it from the outset; but this is something on which it really would be unwise for anyone to adopt a dogmatic position without the full facts.
Chris mentions some very important considerations. I'm certainly not clear myself of the pros and cons at this point. In addition to evaluation of the points Chris raises: what occurs to me now is what leagues have given approval, with what if any conditions? does the 'bounce' replicate that of natural grass? what are the health assessments for players regarding long term use? what is the life of a 3G pitch and what are the estimated maintenance costs?
Also, just what is the position concerning potential relocation from Pilot Field? That was a live issue just a few years ago; but (as I recall) there were all sorts of issues about the value of the club's current lease, the cost of a new ground, the attitude of the council, etc; and the matter has not re-surfaced. Plainly though, it would be foolish to consider a 3G pitch in isolation from potential relocation.
Not really for or against 3G, can see both the benefits and drawbacks Althoigh would prefer the Firs to be made a full size one that we can train on. But knowing Hastings I expect the nearby residents would block it due to noise or traffic concerns anyway if intended for 7 days a week purposes.
Reading the local Guernsey paper they have installed a 3G pitch and are building a 1000 seat stand to go with it.
Don't believe it is for the football club at this stage, more for Hockey and other sports.
The chairman wrote a piece in his last programme notes regarding the possibility of putting a 3G training facility on the firs. In a meeting that was held with the council they said they wouldn't have any objections to such a facility at the firs however said that there was no funding available from them. Having spoken with the Minister of sports for Guernsey on Saturday ( I believe that's his title) it's a far cry from the stance they take on sporting facilities in fact they are trying to build a new stadium for the football club. Phil G had a walk around the stadium on Friday I believe he said and noticed a pavilion being built at the rear of the current stadium, they have a hockey pitch and another Rugby pitch where they are hoping to build the proposed football stadium. Over all it shows what can be achieved when you have a governing body who's willing to back sporting facilities. It's just what we need in the town for youngsters and local sides alike.
Having been to Whyteleaf and Maidstone I don't like 3G. It does not have a true bounce and I spoke to several of our players and they all said it was a drag on their legs. It also has a limited life and high maintenance costs. OK for training etc but not for playing matches in my opinion. Lets keep our lovely grass pitch.
The construction of a 3G pitch would be around £500,000, and as that is such a large investment, it's not something you can't really maintain. Any groundsman would tell you that they would be easier to maintain than a grass pitch,mbut you would still have to thoroughly sweep it and clean it regularly. It is estimated that it would cost a further £3000 per annum to maintain the 3G pitch and I think I was told that to maintain our wonderful grass pitch, this costs in the region of £4000 per annum.
Generally speaking, a 3G pitch should generate a large amount of income for a football Club. It is estimated to last about ten years before they need replacing, which would then be another £200,000. However, if it was used all year round by member of community for different events and just leisure, this should generate good income for a Club and pay for itself. However, for a replacement, Clubs are advised to put aside £25,000 per year for the replacement of their pitch, or risk folding, unless some unbelievable FA Cup Run happens or you're taken over by multi-millionaires.
I usually have a moan up about our poor relationship with the Council but unless I'm missing something, they do not appear to have much interest in supporting any kind of sport in the town. IMO, 3 or 4G pitches are for training on and not for proper football.
I don't think they've ever been interested in our football Club Overthehill. Only slightly when we had out FA Cup run and they might've got some interest in the town and the financial benefits. Poor support from the council really.
Probably not accurate to say that the council have never been interested, they were our shirt sponsors a few years ago. This support does seem to have dwindled though, probably for a variety of reasons not least the cuts in funding of the central grant from the government that the town received. Sadly, this doesn't look like changing any time soon and is even less likely when we're getting crowds of just over 200
Can I just clarify that the post I made earlier is in no way intended as a replacement pitch for The Pilot Field it is something that the club are suggesting/ enquiring about as a training facility to be used not just by the club but the whole community.
In my personal opinion Overthehill is correct in saying that our council have little interest in sport and its needs for facilities in Hastings.
I know that it's a thing that really annoys the chairman however the council seem to think nothing of subsidising a theatre each year to the tune of £600000, despite it running at a loss year on year. Forget about the benefit such a facility would have for the club but doesn't it make sense when there is such an outcry about child obesity in our country to do whatever we can to establish a healthier future for the next generation. In Eastbourne I'm led to believe that the council allow youth football teams free use of their pitches. Our youth teams alone spent thousands of pounds on pitch fees each season for sub standard pitches that are, at least when I was involved with youth football, covered in dog mess, empty beer cans and broken glass. I really don't see the lack of support for sport from our council changing any time soon.
Just one other thing, when we had The Fa cup run the council never even sent a message of good luck or congratulations.
Earlier in this thread I mentioned that it seemed to me to be futile to discuss a 3G pitch in isolation from the question of potential relocation from Pilot Field. I did (at the forum a couple of months ago - it seems longer!) attempt to raise that with the Chairman, but (no fault of his) the discussion went in another direction. Does anyone closer to the club have any idea just where we are on potential relocation?
The climate seems a little brighter for potential relocation than it was three or four years ago in that the value of Pilot Field / the Firs for re-development (if of course the latter - a matter of contention as I recall - is included in the deal) has doubtless recovered somewhat post the worst of the recession; and the Bexhill relief road is now a coming reality creating the possibility of available green field sites for a new stadium. I like going to Pilot Field, but if the club is ever going to move up significantly it will need to relocate or drastically upgrade Pilot Field. Clearly, it cannot do either without a major injection of finance and the council would seem to hold all the aces concerning what the club might get from surrender / sale of its lease.
It seems to me that all those who have the best interest of the club at heart really do need to get into a debate about the these longer term issues (which are of course quite separate from the immediate crisis about our league position).
For my part, I would like to see the club be a real facility for the whole community, playing at a much higher level, involved with schools and colleges, accessing funding from various public / charitable / commercial sources and so on. It will be clear from my earlier postings that I do not believe that that of necessity requires the departure of the present board; but it will require a coming together of all those who love the club and the positive involvement of the Council. Too much to ask for?
FC United of Manchester have raised about £3m from fans (some small donations, some £500 or more), and then they qualify for significant grants. There 4,000-odd capacity stadium will be ready soon. The club is apparently owned by supporters, so it can be done. And it's not in a particularly affluent part of Manchester either. It's given the team a boost too - they're top of Conference North.
