Aberdeen to upgrade pitch following playing surface concerns

External sourcein Football

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is delighted his players will be able to enjoy a better pitch at Pittodrie next season.

After the last Clydesdale Bank Premier League game of the campaign against Hearts on Saturday, head groundsman Paul Fiske and his team will begin upgrading the playing surface which should take between eight to 10 weeks.

McInnes told Red TV: "As has been the case with many pitches throughout the country, since the turn of the year the surface has been a major concern.

"The club has recognised this and has taken the best advice possible in order to have a better playing surface which will improve the product for the fans.

"Paul and his team do a fantastic job and work tirelessly to maintain the pitch and this investment will be money well spent and will make their job a bit easier too I'm sure."

The current sand-based surface will undergo a major upgrade.

Incorporating Fibresand which has polypropylene fibres in concentrate when delivered, mixed through the existing rootzone to a depth of 100mm, will stabilise the upper rootzone without having a detrimental effect to the natural drainage capabilities that the pitch presently enjoys.

In addition to the new surface, irrigation will also be improved with the fitting of an inbuilt multi-sprinkler system.

Fiske said: "The current surface is eight years old and has served us well, as we've never had a game postponed.

"However, this season we saw three inches of rain on the day of the St Johnstone match in December and that caused the most damage.

"The laying of a Fibresand reinforced pitch will prevent it from breaking up and causing bobbles and while, come February, aesthetically it may look a bit thin, it will not cut up in the manner of the current surface.

Article sourced from Herald Scotland

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