DOSWELL: PLASTIC CAN BE FANTASTIC
SUTTON United manager Paul Doswell is imploring EFL clubs to see the benefits of allowing 3G pitches. Along with Maidstone and Bromley, Doswell’s U’s are one of three clubs in the National League with the artificial surface. But, under current rules, should any win promotion they would be faced with having to rip up the pitch and put grass back or be relegated to Non-League’s second tier.
The three clubs are pushing for reform and have called on the Football League and National League to show leadership and address the issue.
“It’s not for footballing reasons, or to give us an advantage,” Doswell said. “It’s been done so we can use our facility more than once every two weeks – that’s the bit that gets missed by people.
“Our pitch is the same as is used in the Scottish Premiership and the same surface used in World Cup matches. We haven’t gone cheap. We spent £500,000 to make it as good as it can be.
Problem
“Our venue now serves 38 of our junior teams, three disabled teams, two girls teams, a ladies team and it also services Wimbledon Juniors, Wimbledon Ladies and Sutton Common Rovers senior and junior teams.
“Our attendances have gone from 6-700 to now averaging 2,300. The biggest problem we had in the past was the stadium was a onceevery-two-weeks venue. One season, in a bad winter, we didn’t play for six or seven weeks on a Saturday.
“We were almost at breaking point. So I think people are missing the point. It’s a fantastic quality surface and for clubs at Non-League and League Two level it can have huge benefits.”
Doswell understands not all clubs higher up the ladder will need to go down the plastic route, but he thinks clubs who want to adopt the model should be allowed to.
“We’re at the bottom of the food chain of professional clubs and this is a model that would fit for some,” Doswell said. “They’d probably double their crowds and income. All our money goes back into the facilities and to make sure we are sustainable.”
Doswell also wants to dispel the view that players pick up bad ligament injuries. So far, neither the U’s or Maidstone have had one. He said. “We’ve got six or seven lads in our squad over 30 who say it’s better than training on grass. It’s a myth of the dinosaur.”