FOOTBALL: Chairman Mark Coote insists he has no regrets after watching contractors tear up Whyteleafe's pitch as they prepare to install an artificial surface.
While many non-league clubs are carefully tending to their grass to get their pitches perfect for the new campaign, the Church Road surface is currently devoid of green.
However, by July 11, Whyteleafe should be the first non-league team in Surrey to have an artificial surface on their main pitch. It is something that has been a long time in the planning for Coote, and he is eager to see the finished article.
"I've got no regrets over the decision although I must admit, when they first took up the pitch, I sat in the stands looking at soil thinking, 'What have I done?' the chairman said. "That was four weeks ago, the Monday after the season finished. Then they removed 800mm of top soil, followed by some work of the drainage.
"Now it's just a matter of making sure it's level and then they lay the carpet. They call the surface a carpet, but it does come in four-metre rolls, like a carpet, which they then glue in place."
The work has set the club back £400,000, with added costs of re-laying concrete to come, but Coote is confident the move to 3G will pay off in the end.
"Even now, without the surface, there is an impact as you walk into the stadium – it looks impressive," Coote enthused. "We are hoping to hire it out for other clubs and corporate use, but also it's enabling us to bring our junior sides into the club more.
"When we set up the junior section in 1996-97 it was always our aim to have them at Church Road because it's hard for them to feel part of the club when they are at Purley Way."
Having been promoted from the Southern Counties East League as champions, Leafe are preparing for life back in Ryman League Division One South. The first match scheduled for the new 3G surface is a friendly against Ryman League Premier Division side Kingstonian on July 19.
