New pitch

[Yellowcoat]

Complete nonsense. Played well.

[CrowthorneRoyal]

They reckon that it is still bedding in but will vastly improve after the Villa game as there are no football or rugby matches on it for 2 weeks.

Anyone else notice the pitch was a lot higher than last season? Apparently this is because they didnt dig down deep enough before they applied the sand layer.....

[paultheroyal]

They reckon that it is still bedding in but will vastly improve after the Villa game as there are no football or rugby matches on it for 2 weeks.

Anyone else notice the pitch was a lot higher than last season? Apparently this is because they didnt dig down deep enough before they applied the sand layer.....

Good point - I did notice the run off mounds aka Old Trafford - although not as bad lol

[Hound]

I thought the grass looked quite long

Huge improvement though

[One87One]

I thought the grass looked quite long

Huge improvement though

Stam requested that the final thirds are longer than the centre of the pitch.

[LWJ]

I thought the grass looked quite long

Huge improvement though

Stam requested that the final thirds are longer than the centre of the pitch.

No he didn't

[Hendo]

I thought the grass looked quite long

Huge improvement though

Stam requested that the final thirds are longer than the centre of the pitch.

No he didn't

File under 'We can wear our home kit whenever we want'

[genome]

I thought the grass looked quite long

Huge improvement though

Stam requested that the final thirds are longer than the centre of the pitch.

No he didn't

Yeah, he literally called bullshit on it on the radio last night

[paultheroyal]

I thought the grass looked quite long

Huge improvement though

Stam requested that the final thirds are longer than the centre of the pitch.

Ah, it was you who sent in that Belmont tweet?

[RG30]

Stam put that to bed pretty quickly on Berks after the game.

[bobby1413]

Was looking forward to a lucious green pitch, one that looked like this:



However, I was distinctly unimpressed. It was patchy in the corners, and really didn't look that good at all. Is it a case that the pitch needs time to develop further, and that it will grow in and "settle in"?

[Hound]

Was looking forward to a lucious green pitch, one that looked like this:



However, I was distinctly unimpressed. It was patchy in the corners, and really didn't look that good at all. Is it a case that the pitch needs time to develop further, and that it will grow in and "settle in"?

Yep. The grass is still only about 6 weeks old I think. Needs the roots to develop further

[Sutekh]

Was looking forward to a lucious green pitch, one that looked like this:



However, I was distinctly unimpressed. It was patchy in the corners, and really didn't look that good at all. Is it a case that the pitch needs time to develop further, and that it will grow in and "settle in"?

Yes it needs time, they only laid it 6/7 weeks ago so just need to be patient to get it to "green up" and be more like what you'd hope

Wasn't the last pitch system supposedly meant to reach it's best after 2 seasons or something? Is this new system similar to that?

[WoodleyRoyal]

for all you gardeners https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/re ... pitch.html

Madejski Stadium has been home to Reading FC since its construction in 1999. With the playing surface having undergone significant wear and tear over recent seasons, Reading commissioned a full reconstruction, in preparation for a renewed promotion challenge.

The challenge
Before the Championship started, Reading FC had just a five-week period to remove the existing pitch, replace both the lower and upper rootzones, and then relay the grass playing surface before completing the installation of a new hybrid pitch system. All of the work needed to be undertaken and completed in time for Reading's first home game of the season on 8th August.
Given the pitch is used by both Reading FC and long-term tenants, London Irish RFC, the playing surface is not afforded the regular 'off-weekends' that other non-ground sharing clubs benefit from; while the stresses and strains of hosting regular rugby fixtures further test the durability of the pitch. As such, the club identified the need for a long-lasting hybrid solution which could withstand the intensity and variety of multi-sport use, without sacrificing the playability associated with a grass pitch.
The new pitch is a 95% natural and 5% synthetic fibre surface that is able to deliver longer playing hours with fast recovery times, making it ideal for the playing demands at Madejski Stadium.
With a view to starting work as quickly as possible, Reading FC appointed specialist sports surface contractors, M J Abbott Ltd. Given the tight timescales, and having worked together before on a series of projects, M J Abbott turned to Tarmac's Topsport team to supply the drainage gravel, lower rootzone sand and upper rootzone for the project.
The solution
As the pitch playing surface was to be completely replaced, the first task was to remove the existing playing surface, followed by the rootzones and both the sub-pitch irrigation system and heating pipe system, ahead of the sand being delivered.
"Timing was absolutely critical to the success of this project," said Richard Goddings, Technical Sales Manager - South, for Tarmac's Topsport division. "Given the club's first game of the season was at home, the deadlines were completely set in stone, with no room for error."
"Sourcing the large volume of high specification material required to undertake the work was the first challenge to overcome. We were able to source 3,000 tonnes of sand from our Sevenoaks quarry, which was no mean feat given the distance between Kent and Reading. As the pitch would retain its sub-surface pitch heating system, it was essential that the sand was laid quickly so that the irrigation and heating pipes could be re-installed ahead of the upper rootzone. Our team surpassed this brief by delivering the sand, to specification, two days ahead of schedule."

Work in progress
Richard continues: "As soon as the sand was in, we were then able to deliver 1,800 tonnes of rootzone, designed to meet strict horticultural and playing performance criteria, in less than a week. The rootzone was placed out on the Friday and laid by the Sunday. It was then levelled off, graded with a laser-guided bulldozer, and then seeded."
"The rootzone is a carefully balanced combination of high quality sand blended with organic materials, which encourages the free passage of air and water to facilitate strong and natural root growth. The 20 per cent organic content helps to improve moisture retention, leading to a higher quality playing surface which is noticeably softer than other hybrid systems, giving the feel of a true grass pitch. The improved percolation and water retention means that water can freely flow through the composition during wet weather, yet improves water retention in drier periods."
"To complete the installation, the hybrid element of the pitch was installed using patented technology to inject fibres into the playing surface. The artificial fibres ensure the pitch maintains consistency and stability by holding the rootzone together."
"We have a great relationship with M J Abbott who contacted us about the project, knowing that we could meet the tight timescales that were required. Opting for a hybrid pitch with an 80:20 rootzone has resulted in a stronger and healthier playing surface which should withstand the inevitable wear and tear that comes with being the home ground for Reading FC and London Irish RFC."
Nathan George, Contracts Manager at M J Abbott, comments: "The Topsport team's efficient supply of high specification lower rootzone sand and upper rootzone was integral to this project's success, given the looming championship season and physically demanding use of the pitch. The quality of the material supplied by Topsport meant there were no issues with stones or grit damaging our equipment when stitching in the fibres to create the hybrid playing surface. Thanks to our established working relationship, the project went smoothly and we were able to deliver a pitch, on time and to the club's satisfaction."

[blueroyals]

It doesn't look great tbh

When are the egg chasers leaving?