ENERGY CRISIS TO HIT PITCHES

THE quality of playing surfaces in the EFL could suffer as a result of the energy crisis, with several clubs looking at reducing the use of lighting rigs on their pitches in an attempt to slash rising electricity bills.

Many clubs in the Championship run the lighting rigs to provide the ideal conditions for grass to grow when natural daylight is limited — but may reduce the hours this winter. Groundstaff have expressed concern that their pitches will suffer.