GROUNDS

[geezer]

I hear that there was a meeting this week where the faw are bringing in new requirements for welsh league and equiavelent teams.Seating in the stand,floodlights to name a few things but how many clubs will b e able to do this and also make sure there pitch is big enough?
I can see a big stack of clubs being expelled due to the new criteria any thoughts?

[redmogsy]

I think this is a very good idea. Dont get me wrong this has to be viewed as a work in progress, some clubs will not have the resources to be able to implement certain changes, but if clubs do aspire to someday reach Welsh Premier League level then their grounds have to reach a certain criteria anyway.
Im all for the FAW setting increment standards in ground criteria that should be set to the specific division each club will be looking to reach for the coming season. Ground inspections should then be made pre-season and again at the turn of the year to ensure that a club has a chance of gaining promotion.
The only downfall will be the here and now, and the finances of an ambitious club.
Anyone agree.

[Lee Robson]

I do.....

[austinpowers]

I don't know how they expect some of the teams to afford the extra upgrades when there are so many teams that seem to be struggling already. I heard that Porth are making applications fo major improvements to their ground. Should be interesting

[huwjones]

lets be honest ,quaint and unique as Dinas Park is not having even a working toilet, thanks to the toilet block being knocked down because of old mine workings is not ideal.
Council owned grounds,pitches are being neglected, if the FAW and Andrew Howard want us to have a domestic liscense provide the necessary funds..simples.
We are told we need floodlights for what 4/5 games a year, £75000 but we cant train on our pitch under the terms of our lease, but Porth rugby can train on their council owned pitch, whats the difference??

[fairplay]

Rugby is the difference Hugh and football in Wales is always second to rugby due to the media.

[garethmorgan7]

It's an interesting one for me this one. I agree with everything we are now being asked to put in place and I think it will raise the standards towards where they need to go. I also like that there are timescales being given rather than "an all floodlit div 1 in 9 months time" etc...

It is going to be an interesting one. My personal favourite being the contradiction of "you should look to have hard standing all the way around the pitch" and now just a few years later, now many clubs have done so, "your pitch isn't big enough, you need to extend it" (meaning the ripping up of the said hard standing in most cases.)

My own club will be affected by this by 5 or 6 yards, but as long as it is for the greater good and all clubs are assessed equally on whether they adhere to the standards, it will be a good thing long term.

I don't know who has to lenthen their pitch, but it will be interesting to see how some clubs manage to do so when you think how little extra land they have to play with, and in some cases, walls and car parks etc starting right at the point of where the pitch ends, and in once case, where there is a wall way too close to the playing surface as it is.

I just hope Clubs accept it and work towards it, not wait until D-Day and appeal. Only my humble view, of course

[kingfisherplayer]

Why on earth do the WFA seem intent on making it pleasurable for the viewing spectators but quality of pitches seem to be neglected. I am aware that there is criteria for 'must be kept in playable order' or something alomng those lines but surely to increase standards of the game, better playing surfaces means more enjoyable football to watch and therefore....better experiences for spectators......not must have a toilet with top of the range handwash available etc.....

[ronjeremie]

As most grounds are council owned, and with all the cut backs etc, then the pitches are the easiest to cut back on.
And unless the FAW put some sensible money into welsh football, then i can't see how clubs can afford it, with crowds of 50 per home game.
It would also help if there weren't so many WFA officials turning up at games expecting to be fed and watered for free.

[cambrianfc]

Having seen Caerau Ely's ground last weekend they should have their roofless stand demolished! Its a death trap. They have no seats, no rain cover, no flood lights.

[Counting Crows]

This is always an interesting topic. Can i quickly ask, do the winners of D1 get a cash prize as well as the trophy?

Perhaps funding could be targetted on a priority basis? Funding should be given to clubs in this order:

1. Clubs who are categorically working toward the WPL Domestic License and are seeking promotion (only 4 or 5 i guess?).

2. Clubs who do not share their ground with a sport that causes clashes (I.e. no point in spending money on a ground that can't be used by the footy club for two months of the season because of cricket - think Welshpool Town), but who need help staying compliant with the WL criteria.

3. Clubs who are looking to move away from an unsuitable ground (no room to meet new criteria/sharing with cricket etc.) to a more purpose built one.

I agree with another poster re: floodlights. With less clubs in each division there should theoretically be less need for floodlights. And if a club has no interest in the WPL, why spend a 5 figure sum plus maintenace for 4/5 games a season?

[gifster]

It still baffles me how improvements are always stands , lights, fencing etc but everyone seems to forget about the most important factor for better football ...the quality of the pitch...welsh premier, welsh league teams playing on rugby fields is surely a non starter even if theyve got 500 seater stands and floodlights etc.

[fairplay]

Ebbw Vale used to share with the rugby club in the League of Wales and Cardiff,Swansea, Reading,Watford,Bristol Rovers,Bridgend and Stockport all share with rugby clubs. If any Welsh League clubs have the finance available to apply to the Premier why not share with rugby if there is a club nearby. It makes sense if their own ground cannot be improved to the league requirements.

[Counting Crows]

You're right, pitch quality is important too and I believe the WPL DL takes the pitch into consideration, drainage and a maximum gradient for starters.

How else can pitch quality be quantified? How would a criterion be worded? I'm guessing a grant can't be used to employ a part time groundsman so the club alone would have to finance pitch improvements and maintenance...?