The Pitch

[Brogue]

The pitch at the Select Car Leasing Stadium is currently experiencing some issues relating to a fungal disease called gray leaf spot (GLS), which is being managed by our grounds team. While GLS cannot be eradicated with fungicides, it can be managed and eventually eliminated through pitch care.

The uncharacteristically extreme weather conditions experienced this summer – which included the hottest day on record in the UK – have provided immense challenges to grounds staff at venues all over the country. High temperatures and leaf wetness are two key factors in the initial infection of GLS; a number of professional clubs have experienced the precisely the same issue in varying degrees. Symptoms – which can include lesions and destruction of grass leaf – often do not manifest until a long time after infection.

Thankfully our current issues with GLS are isolated to a small area of the pitch, and we can expect the cooler temperatures in the coming weeks to prevent it from developing further.

However we are taking measures to prevent the disease from spreading. Access to the pitch and its grass fringes is currently limited to grounds staff throughout the week, and will be extended to players, coaches and broadcast media as strictly necessary for matchdays. Fans should be aware that this will mean a small change to some matchday operations, including temporarily suspending some of our half-time entertainment.

Thank you to all affected for cooperation and patience, as our grounds team continue to work hard to keep our pitches in optimal condition at the stadium and at our Bearwood Park training ground.

[Nameless]

Obviously all down to London Irish

[Hound]

Half time entertainment? Have I just not been paying attention?

[RoyalBlue]

Half time entertainment? Have I just not been paying attention?

The very idea that they could suspend part of the square root of bugger all. You get better half-time entertainment at non-league grounds.

[Zip]

No

[Hound]

Half time entertainment? Have I just not been paying attention?

The very idea that they could suspend part of the square root of bugger all. You get better half-time entertainment at non-league grounds.

Unless they are classing the groundsman wandering around prodding the ground with a fork entertainment. If so, will be sad to see him to go

[Millsy]

ok

[Sutekh]

Wasn’t Joan Collins in this?

[RoyalBlue]

Half time entertainment? Have I just not been paying attention?

The very idea that they could suspend part of the square root of bugger all. You get better half-time entertainment at non-league grounds.

Unless they are classing the groundsman wandering around prodding the ground with a fork entertainment. If so, will be sad to see him to go

[RoyalBlue]

Probably needed the late, great, Gordon Neate and his special fertiliser!

[paultheroyal]

Probably needed the late, great, Gordon Neate and his special fertiliser!

They were the days!

Pitch has been superb for the last couple of years, kicking out the London Irish clearly the best thing ever and reaping rewards with that and hopefully lessons learned.

[Royal Ginger]

Oh no, I won’t be able to see how close to the corner flag two random fans can kick a ball.

[SCIAG]

The pitch has got much better ever since we sold Antonio.

[paultheroyal]

The pitch has got much better ever since we sold Antonio.

Those pacey runs and flair down the wing have just not been evident recently hence lack of match worn evidence. Agreed.

[South Coast Royal]

Half time entertainment? Have I just not been paying attention?

Will it mean that the p.a. bloke will keep quiet?
If so, great.

[Nameless]

Probably needed the late, great, Gordon Neate and his special fertiliser!

They were the days!

Pitch has been superb for the last couple of years, kicking out the London Irish clearly the best thing ever and reaping rewards with that and hopefully lessons learned.

And as expected here he comes.....
Is it a different Irish that are playing at Brentford and not doing their pitch any harm ?

[Hendo]

Probably needed the late, great, Gordon Neate and his special fertiliser!

They were the days!

Pitch has been superb for the last couple of years, kicking out the London Irish clearly the best thing ever and reaping rewards with that and hopefully lessons learned.

And as expected here he comes.....
Is it a different Irish that are playing at Brentford and not doing their pitch any harm ?

Would say that pitch technologies have come on a long way since we had really bad pitches because of the rugby. Also, them playing in the premier league helps - less games, more ground staff, bigger budgets for top of the range equipment.

[paultheroyal]

Probably needed the late, great, Gordon Neate and his special fertiliser!

They were the days!

Pitch has been superb for the last couple of years, kicking out the London Irish clearly the best thing ever and reaping rewards with that and hopefully lessons learned.

And as expected here he comes.....
Is it a different Irish that are playing at Brentford and not doing their pitch any harm ?

No idea, dont follow rugby to those extreme but most probably is. What i do know is the London Irish who were based in Reading, severely damaged the playing surface, and since their vacation, the pitch has been excellent. Hope that helps.

[From Despair To Where?]

Whilst I'm loathe to defend rugby, I think the problem was more specifically down to general overuse than the type of games being played on it. Didn't we also have the U23s playing on it at the time as well?