Widnes chairman Steve O'Connor told Boots 'n' All about their plans for a plastic pitch.
We find out about Vikings' groundbreaking move
Boots 'n' All caught up with the Widnes chairman Steve O'Connor to find out why the club are planning to play on an artificial pitch next season.
The Vikings, who are set to return to the Super League for the first time in seven years, have announced groundbreaking plans to lay a plastic surface at the Stobart Stadium in time for the new campaign.
The third-generation pitch with a sand and rubber base will be similar to the one that the England football team played on in their infamous Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia four years ago and is used by many teams in the NFL.
And club chief O'Connor argued that it's a forward-thinking move that can be perfected as time goes on and will not pose any risks to players.
He said: "I think the technology has moved on sufficiently that we're not talking about the football pitches of the 1980's where the consistency of performance was to be questioned.
"What you've got now, to all intents and purposes, is 21st century grass. This is the surface that, had it been around before grass then grass would never have survived.
"It can be changed from game to game, it can be changed during the season.
"What we need to understand is what rugby league see as the ideal, so that it's hard enough that the game performance is consistent, that it's fast and is not too soft under foot, but at the same time is still safe.
"There's a lot of evidence that suggests the players are protected from injury on this type of pitch, more so than the inconsistency of a conventional pitch."
Advantage
Eyebrows are bound to be raised among the other 13 Super League clubs ahead of next season, but O'Connor dismissed suggestions that the pitch will give his team an unfair advantage.
While his players will not have to contend with any mud in their home games, he argued that their opponents will also benefit from the £500,000 surface.
"I hope the other clubs embrace the idea," he added.
"As long as the playing surface is consistent, it's the same for both teams. I think it should be as good as the best grass pitch on the best day.
"But we may not have to contend with some of the poorer pitches as the season deteriorates."
