Press and Journal poll reveals half of clubs would consider keeping off the grass

Half of all teams in the Highland League are in favour of moving to artificial pitches, the Press and Journal can reveal today.

Huntly supporters and officials will meet tomorrow to discuss plans to install an artificial pitch at Christie Park next summer – and they are not the only Highland League club contemplating making the switch.

Champions Cove Rangers have the option to play at junior club Banks o’ Dee’s Spain Park and the new stadium at Calder Park, which they will move to next season, will have an artificial pitch.

Inverurie Locos have also stated their intention to install an artificial pitch should they move away from Harlaw Park.

The Press and Journal conducted a poll of the 17 Highland League clubs apart from Huntly.

And senior officials at eight clubs – Clach, Cove Rangers, Fort William, Fraserburgh, Locos, Keith, Strathspey Thistle and Wick Academy – confirmed they would be in favour of changing to an artificial surface.

Representatives from nine other teams – Brora Rangers, Buckie Thistle, Deveronvale, Formartine United, Forres Mechanics, Lossiemouth, Nairn County, Rothes and Turriff United – said they expected to retain grass pitches.

Finlay Noble, chairman of Fraserburgh and the Scottish FA congress member for the Highland League, expects more clubs to follow Huntly’s lead as the quest to improve standards in training facilities and performance continues across the game.

He said: “If the quality of the artificial surface is good enough then I think it is an attractive proposition for Highland League clubs.

“We have played a couple of games on artificial pitches in the Scottish Cup in recent seasons. We played on one earlier this season at Gala Fairydean which is also used for rugby and frankly it was terrible.

“Last season we played at Falkirk Stadium and the players were raving about it and saying it was as good as playing on grass.

“I think within 10 years a large amount, if not the majority of Highland League clubs, will have one.

“I have been to a number of talks about the benefits they can provide clubs as well as the wider community.

“I remember one of the teams from the SPFL saying that they had made around £12,000 profit from their vending machines with young people buying drinks.

“That was an unexpected but welcome consequence.

“One of the big advantages is that it would also reduce the number of postponed games in the Highland League throughout the winter months.”

Turriff United manager Ross Jack does not envisage the grass pitch at the Haughs being ripped up and replaced with an artificial one any time soon.

He said: “I’m a traditionalist. I have played on artificial surfaces, but I think grass pitches are best at Highland League level.

“For training and youth football up to under-21 level then I think the artificial pitches can be excellent.

“They can also help bring in additional revenue for clubs. But we have a fantastic grass pitch.

“I would prefer to play on grass every time but I am not adverse to playing a game on an artificial pitch every now and again.”

“Raving about it and saying it was as good as playing on grass”