Tuesday 24 February 2015 12:25, UK
The Football League has confirmed its clubs have opted against the re-introduction of artificial surfaces.
QPR, Luton, Oldham and Preston all used plastic pitches during the 1980s but they were banned from the English professional game in 1995 over fears about long-term injuries and irregular ball bounce.
However, the improvement in technology and the introduction of ‘3G’ pitches led to Conference clubs voting to allow artificial pitches into all three of their divisions from the 2015/16 season.
League One and Two club chairmen then informally backed their return last September – although a vote in November ended as a tie with 34 in favour and 34 against.
Having considered all the available information... clubs have reached the conclusion that they do not wish to pursue the matter any further, as a majority of them prefer to play their matches on grass pitches.
The issue was again discussed at a meeting at St George’s Park last week but Football League clubs have now agreed that the artificial surfaces will not be making a return.
A Football League spokesman said: “Over the last 12 months, League clubs have debated the issues relating to the re-introduction of artificial playing surfaces on a number of occasions.
“Having considered all the available information and having heard from relevant experts at last week’s meeting, clubs have reached the conclusion that they do not wish to pursue the matter any further, as a majority of them prefer to play their matches on grass pitches.”
