PRESSURE FOR 3G SET TO MOUNT
NATIONAL League clubs are stepping up their bid for 3G pitches to be allowed in the EFL – and one director is optimistic a breakthrough will come in the next couple of years.
Maidstone United’s Oliver Ash believes a joint-statement released by his club, Sutton United and Bromley calling for rules on 3G pitches in the EFL to be reformed has pushed the issue closer to being back on the agenda.
The National League’s plastic trio are urging the EFL, National League and the Football Association to show leadership on the issue.
As it stands, clubs are banned from playing in the Football League on an artificial surface.
Should any of the three clubs win promotion from NonLeague’s top flight under the current rules – and Sutton United were top pre-weekend – it means they would have to rip up their pitch and replace it with a natural grass surface even if it’s just for one season.
Persuade
Furthermore, a National League rule states if they choose to stick with their 3G pitch and aren’t eligible for promotion, then they will be automatically placed at Step 2 of the Non-League Pyramid – effectively a double relegation.
Stones director Ash, who has recently joined the National League board, says he gets the impression things will now move forward following last week’s statement.
“We’re now in the process of trying to persuade the Football League, in a sensible way, to allow 3G,” Ash told The FLP. “The second thing is to get this (double relegation) rule changed – probably before the Football League even allow 3G in.
“I’m very hopeful from the noises, the conversations, I’ve had since the statement – I can’t go into detail because they are off the record – that things are moving within the Football League and a lot of people who count in the Football League are being converted to the reasons why it would be a beneficial model to a number of Football League clubs in the same way it is to Non-League clubs.
“It’s a question of time - it may take one to two years. The sooner the better, but that sort of timeframe, given the speed football administration works in this country, is probably acceptable if that turns out to be the case.”
In November 2014, EFL clubs voted on the issue of allowing plastic pitches and were tied 34 in favour, 34 against, with four abstentions.
They were balloted again in February 2015 and it was announced the rules would not be changing.
The EFL declined to comment last week but it’s understood that, while there are no current plans for a discussion on the matter, it’s an issue that’s always under review.
National League rules require 3G pitches to meet FIFA’s highest standard with a number of clubs across the world now playing on them.
Other sports have embraced the pitches too, including rugby union with top English club Saracens now in their fourth full season since laying down theirs.
Influence
“Most people I speak to now who have got some sort of influence accept there are people who don’t like playing on plastic at this stage, but it’s the right thing to allow it two levels further up from the National League,” Ash said. “That would catch-up with the rest of the world.
“Contentious issues solve themselves sometimes just by a question of time and demographics even if nothing else. This will inevitably solve itself because kids are growing up on this stuff and they love it.
“There’s no way they’re going to have the prejudices of saying, ‘Football’s got to be played on mud’. They won’t think that way in 20 years’ time.
“It’s just a case of getting it done now because it’s good sense and in the interests of football clubs engaging with the communities and having better businesses. That’s why it needs to be done quickly.
“I’m confident in, let’s say two years, there will be a path up. In the meantime, we need to solve the issues of the National League rule, which is too severe and needs to be softened.”