Magazine - Pitch abuse - Jens is the man!

See all:
Authors - Dates - Categories - Online Back Issues

RECENT COMMENTS

Going Dutch on Weed Control!
3 hours ago by: andy dixon

"What is the point when 97% of herbicides are used by private ..."

Build it and they will come... a report on the Isle of Man's first seminar for the industry
19 hours ago by: petermarkcraig

"Thank you for those very kind words Mike. I genuinely felt t ..."

Will it take hose pipe bans and Drought Orders to see legislative compliance?
2 days ago by: vid

"Hi Dave, this may be of help to well financed or municipal s ..."

Build it and they will come... a report on the Isle of Man's first seminar for the industry
4 days ago by: Pitchcare Peter

"Who's a fantastic tool? 'Genius' might be slightly overst ..."

Build it and they will come... a report on the Isle of Man's first seminar for the industry
4 days ago by: Cranfield

"A fantastic tool for promoting our wonderful industry and th ..."

By Editor in Football on 28th Sep 2004 9:00

Pitch abuse - Jens is the man!

Here we go again! Goalkeeper damage back with avengeance!

Despite directives from the Premier League and Football League, goalkeepers are still flouting the rules about marking the pitch, with Arsenal's Jens Lehman high on the list of culprits. Not only is he not content with damaging the area in front of the six yard box but he also feels it is within his rights to scrape a 20ft line on the pitch in the area in front of the portable goals! Is this player taking the mickey, or what!

There are some more images of damage he caused recently at the City of Manchester Stadium at the bottom of the article.

Following our survey last season we did get a positive response when our findings were put before the relevant authorities. The Referees' Committee of The FA have agreed to forward 'additional' markings to the International Board for discussion as a possible Law change.

However, until we get a decision on that proposal, something needs to be done before we hit the non-growing winter months when players are the first people to complain if there is no grass in the penalty areas or if a ball bobbles. Referees need to set examples and start booking these keepers.

Remember the response of the Everton player who got sent off for removing his shirt after scoring a goal? Not done it since has he?

Please keep sending us any other evidence of unnecessary damage caused by goalkeepers or over extensive warm-ups. We will keep publishing them on the website and sending them off to the football authorities. We are not going to rest until this problem is resolved!

Read more articles in Football, by Editor or from September 2004.

There are 11 comments on this article

28 Sep 2004 by john williams

The danger with the proffessional players damaging the pitches is that the younger/youth players watch them on the television and do as they do. Premiership clubs have full-time grounds staff and can usually cope with the damage to an extent but people like myself who work alone on a part-time basis and whose (school) pitches are in full-time use struggle to cope with the damage (particularly on a very limited budget) and the damage gets worse as the season progresses.

29 Sep 2004 by PLASTIC TERMINATOR

GOT TO SAY MAKING A 20FT MARK INFRONT OF THE PORTABLES IS TAKING THE P***.

29 Sep 2004 by Paul b

Hi lee i no how you feel mate but at least he spends some time in the portable goal more than we can say for some although yes it is a nightmare we could all do without. Hope you and roy are good, pitch looked good as it always does cheers

29 Sep 2004 by robbo @ derby

what a shirt front.........warning also to any one having wigan visit them soon.........ladders and shuttles galore even ladders out for the subs to do there warm ups.......and the subs and spare goalie do a 30 min workout after........yes including megashuttles and keeper has his own chinese hat markers.YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

30 Sep 2004 by leej

At least we only have iy once a year as well-i hope they put out a reserve team in the cup game at our place next month!!!

30 Sep 2004 by Paul b

He wont play but i have no idea what our second choice keeper is like he hasnt played here yet he's new!!!

30 Sep 2004 by robbo@derby

hi paul, glad to see you have recovered from saltex.............word soon gets about mate.take care.

30 Sep 2004 by Paul b

Hi rob how you doing mate

30 Sep 2004 by Paul k(THFC)

Having experienced the joys of mr Lehman last season i will double sticth the areas he likes to scrape out with Desso ,look forward to an eventful afternoon with Jens come November.Also why we are on the subject of keepers beware Norwich Citys reserve team goalie -hes a real charmer who likes to throw himself round like a madman at half times.

30 Sep 2004 by Leej

Half time is a doddle-do what we did last year to Middlesbrough, have a kids half time penalty shoot out arranged-I will also add Norwich to this years list of ones to have the shoot out for when keepers come back out at half time, along with Southampton and Villa. One word of warning to all-we have a keeper in our reserves called Kasper SCHMEICHEL-yes son of Peter----beware, he comes out an hour and a quarter before kick off every reserve game we have had so far at home this season in the stadium-hopefully a long way off the first team!

1 Oct 2004 by Paul K(THFC)

We followed your example last season lee when we hosted Middlesbrough in the carling cup just after you had played them. I only wish i had taken a picture of Paul Barons face at half time instead of the damage hed caused-oh well there is always this season . How is your pitch performing so far after the short summer you had?

Want to post a comment in response to this article?

Home - Magazine - Shop - Training - Jobs - Used Machinery - Buyer's Guide - Message Boards - UK Weather - International - GreenFields Artificial Turf - Sport Construction