Airdrie, Scotland – GreenFields (All Sports UK Ltd.) have achieved FIFA 2-Star recommended status for their artificial grass installation at the Excelsior Stadium, homeground of Airdrie United FC.Airdrie, Scotland – GreenFields (All Sports UK Ltd.) have achieved FIFA 2-Star recommended status for their artificial grass installation at the Excelsior Stadium, homeground of Airdrie United FC. After Alloa, Montrose and Stenhousemuir Airdrie United are the fourth Scottish club having their pitch converted from natural grass to a artificial turf surface.

It looks as if Scotland has taken some artificial grass decisions. Airdrie United play their home fixtures at Excelsior Stadium, unofficially known as New Broomfield. Like many of their Scottish Football League counterparts, Airdrie were forced to postpone a number of games in 2009/10 as a result of one of the harshest winters in decades.

Less postponements with Artificial Turf

Gordon Thompson, managing director of GreenFields (All Sports) UK, says: “Just tell me when summer ends and winter begins in Scotland? We never know when to expect decent weather and matches have to be rescheduled all the time. Airdrie had to call a lot of their home games off because of the harsh winter. Neighbours Alloa and Stenhousemuir only had a few games off. Why? They both have artificial turf pitches. The club realized that there’s only one way to stop fixture pile-up and increase revenues- and that’s artificial turf.”

At the end of season 2009-2010 work began on converting the stadium pitch to meet FIFA standards, with the installation of a new 3rd generation artificial turf football pitch. Works were done by GreenFields (All Sports) UK on a full design and build basis. The new pitch will allow far greater use and limit the amount of postponements that the existing pitch is susceptible too.

Artificial turf with a patented V-shape

The new artificial turf pitch was constructed with the use of GreenFields’ V-shape system. Unlike conventional flat shaped fibres, the v-shaped fibre allows the ball to interact with the fibre as it would with a natural grass surface. V-shape fibre is constructed very much like a natural blade of grass in that it has a V-shape spine along its length; this provides a structural memory and assists the fibre in remaining vertical. The football then has the ability to sit on top of the fibre providing not only a natural look but allows the player, when kicking the ball to gain enough leverage underneath and provide truly natural playability characteristics. Jimmy Boyle, manager of Airdrie United, said: “Every member of the squad has played on this artificial turf pitch and it’s absolutely spot-on. The best you can get.”

Visitors to the Airdrie games will also be impressed by the superb new five a side complex adjacent to the ground. All 9 pitches are laid using the latest 3rd generation artificial grass and were installed by GreenFields (All Sports) UK in early 2010. Stadium Manager Alastair Cameron says: “Everything is now good for go for 5, 7 and 11 a-side matches at the Excelsior.” Gordon Thompson adds: “Artificial turf offers a lot of advantages. No matter what the weather conditions are training sessions as well as games can take place the whole year through. Clubs, players and the municipality will have a great benefit.”