HAMPDEN PARK PITCH TO BE RELAID
Before the Scottish League Cup Final
Peter Dallas, Managing Director of Hampden Park Ltd, has confirmed that a new surface will be laid at Scotland’s National Stadium in time for the Scottish League Cup Final on Sunday 13th March.
This comes after the surface's quality was called into question following some Queen's Park games, who play their home matches at the Stadium. The Scotsman reports that during their game against East Stirlingshire recently large sand covered, grass-less patches were visible in both goal-mouths, as well as a long streak leading from the sideline to the centre spot.
The paper also states that the turf was heavily criticised last season after large chunks taken out of the grass could be viewed during the Old Firm League Cup semi-final between Rangers and Celtic.
Responding to the concerns Peter Dallas issued a statement saying, "In light of recent speculation regarding the condition of the playing surface at Scotland's National Stadium, Hampden Park Ltd can confirm that a new natural grass pitch will be laid ahead of the Scottish League Cup Final.“Like many surfaces across Scotland, Hampden Park has suffered due to prolonged inclement weather and, in particular, heavy rainfall since the turn of the year. This has been exacerbated by the programme of fixtures for Queen’s Park FC, who play their home matches at Hampden Park. “While the best efforts of the ground staff have ensured Hampden's playability, nonetheless, with a series of showpiece matches due to take place this spring - the League Cup Final and Scotland Vauxhall International Challenge Match against Denmark next month, the Petrofac Training Cup and the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals in April and the Scottish Cup Final in May - the Board of HPL Ltd has taken the proactive decision to provide the best possible conditions for these matches. Work on relaying the pitch will commence immediately after the Queen’s Park match against Berwick Rangers on 5th March.
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