3G pitches are the way forward, says VCD Athletic boss Tony Russell

VCD ATHLETIC manager Tony Russell says the fixture backlog is damaging the quality of games.

Vickers will welcome Waltham Forest to Oakwood on Thursday night after the original game last night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Crayford based club returned to the summit of the Ryman League Division One North table following their 3-0 win at Wroxham at the weekend.

Russell’s side are three points clear of second-placed Soham Town Rangers, but have three games in hand.

The Kent club must cram in their last sixteen league games in the last 52 days of the season because the Ryman League insists that the league season will not go beyond 26 April.

“Unfortunately the League ain’t helped us out but it takes a shine of it because when you win on Monday rather than go home and think about it and enjoy it, you just see whose fit and who’s got a knock for the next game.

“We’re all in the same boat.  You lose quality. We were lethargic.  You play so many games it waters it down a little bit and it dilutes the quality. There’s not much energy. It’s a bit dull for the people who turn up. They want to see a team that’s exciting.”

When asked what the solution would be to limit the number of postponements, Russell says more clubs will follow in the footsteps of Maidstone United and Harlow Town by installing 3G pitches at their grounds.

“There is, obviously they’re pushing everyone towards 3G pitches. That’s what they’re doing,” said Russell.

“I’m not a massive fan of 3G pitches but I would take one if Gary (Rump, my chairman) said he would put one in next year.

“I’d say yes, but unfortunately it’s the way forward because you don’t get help otherwise.

“Harlow put one in there last year and they’re making a lot of money and they’re throwing money about there, chucking it about.

“Jamie Smith, the old Palace player has just signed for them there so financially it’s the way forward.

“Within five years everyone will have them and you’ll lose slide tackles and things like that and levellers. 

“I’m not a fan of it but it’s what makes football, football. I’m old school like that.

“It’s like if you give video evidence on every decision you take away talking points, people standing in the bar or you asking me these questions. 

“If every match is perfect with pieces of rubber spring up every time (on a 3G pitch) you’re not going to have a dodgy bounce and the goalkeeper flicking it over when it hits the bobble or whatever, so that is the way forward and everyone will just do the same.”

Visit VCD Athletic’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/vcdathleticfc

VCD Athletic  v  Waltham Forest
Ryman League Division One North
Thursday 6^th March 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN