Up and down the country, we regularly hear of clubs, education providers and communities, fundraising for the provision of an artificial sports surface that they can use all-year round. Many go on to achieve their goals and these efforts are testament to the dedication of those running and volunteering at those facilities. But what happens after the carpet has been laid and the infill has bedded in? How do those clubs keep those pitches playable for longer and protect their significant investment?
Traditionally the perception has been that the synthetic surfaces require very little upkeep and, whilst there is potentially less to be done on a newer surface than on a natural grass pitch, effective maintenance is key to the longevity of the pitch.
League Winning Pitches
One such club protecting their investment is Northern Premier League side and fourth oldest team in the world, Worksop Town. The Tigers had a brand-new 3G FIFA Quality Pro pitch installed at Sandy Lane in August 2020 and opted for a MX Elite 60B carpet by global manufacturer, GreenFields.
Recognising the need for regular maintenance from the outset, Worksop Town implemented a rigid in-house maintenance regime which included regular drag brushing utilising a newly purchased Sisis Brush-Pro.
A combination of dedicated in-house maintenance combined with the expertise, support, and specialist bi-monthly REVIVE maintenance visits carried out, Replay Maintenance are providing the perfect surface for the players to excel, evident in the title winning results in the 22/23 season and promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
In preparation for the 2023/24 season, Replay Maintenance have just completed a full pitch Renovate and rubber infill top up for the club. Replay’s trademark Renovate process opens the carpets’ synthetic fibres and de-compacts the lower-level infill, improving the pitch playing performance.
Club Chairman, Pete Whitehead said “One of my first actions as Chairman was to invest in a new synthetic pitch to provide our players with the best playing surface, this investment requires specialist care from the point of installation. Replay Maintenance and our on-site team provide a winning combination, ensuring our pitch is in excellent condition year-round and no doubt lengthening its lifespan, ensuring a better return for the club.”
He continued “Replay Maintenance’s dedicated client team have been on-hand to assist with invaluable advice, even co-ordinating our pitch’s annual FIFA test. We look forward to further winning results and with our pitch in excellent condition, we have all the makings of another great season.”
Replay Maintenance is one of the UK’s leading sports facility maintenance companies for all types of artificial sports surfaces, visit www.replaymaintenance.co.uk for more information.