When we talk about United we always talk about the players, and the goals, and the trophies, yet seldom we about the hallowed ground itself – the revered stage of more than a hundred years of history.
Old Trafford is widely regarded as one of the most famous football grounds in the world. So many stories, so many legends born on this ground. During last week’s protest against the Glazers’ ownership of Manchester United, we witnessed fans invading this historic football ground. To play on this pitch for United is a dream of many and walking on it as supporters for the sake of this club’s future is another dream come true.
Old Trafford Fun Facts!
This article covers details about our beloved Old Trafford, specifically the playing grounds. First, some interesting and not so widely known facts about the main pitch:
- Old Trafford pitch size is 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yds × 74.4 yds). It’s the longest and second in width among English Premier League clubs. [1]
- There are heaters installed under the Old Trafford pitch – to help melt the snow and prevent frost on the pitch surface during winter. [2]
- Manchester rain! Rainwater at Old Trafford is recycled and used for pitch irrigation.
- The club grants supporters permission to sprinkle ashes on the pitch. Located at the North end, an area of the pitch is never dug up because of the ashes. This also explains flower bouquets seen in that area.
- The pitch level is below the dugout to give managerial staff an elevated view of the game.
Best Football Ground in England!
Old Trafford has been named the football ground for this year’s Premier League season. Little do we know about the stuff and their hard work which make it possible. It is a tough job to maintain the ground’s reputation as one of the best in the world. At the end of every season the entire pitch is replaced with a newer version.
Science behind the Beauty
In 2013 Manchester United committed £800,000 to revamp the pitch after its surface was heavily damaged because of heavy rain. It was decided that the existing pitch needed to be replaced with new generation “GrassMaster” pitch.
GrassMaster is a hybrid grass sports field surface technology. The fields are composed of natural grass combined with artificial fibres. The technology was developed and patented by Desso Sports in 1993. GrassMaster reinforces a natural grass pitch by inserting about 20 million Polypropylene fibres into the soil. Each fibre is 7.9 inches long. The fibres are injected 7.1 inches deep into the soil by computer-controlled machines. However, 0.79 inches of the fibre remains above the surface to ensure an even and stable surface. The natural grasses stick with the Polypropylene fibres and grow underneath. [4]
In an interview published on manutd.com in 2019, Old Trafford grounds manager Tony Sinclair provided insights into how the ground staff keep the grounds in the best condition possible.
“I know supporters will come on a matchday and they’ll see the bright white lines and the shaded patterns and the chequerboard effect, but to make the pitch look like that takes a lot of hard work and a lot of it is a science.”
Tony Sinclair, Old Trafford Grounds Manager (2019)
Great ground deserves great facilities around.
Although Old Trafford pitch boasts as one of the world’s best, the club owners are not paying adequate attention to the facilities around the pitch. The Old Trafford as a football complex is falling behind from its counterparts – great historical football venues such as the Wembley Stadium and Camp Nou.
Manchester United COO Collette Roche pointed out: “Since 2005, over £100m has been invested in the stadium, including the £20m investment last season. We’re looking at an investment plan while maintaining what makes Old Trafford special.” [7]
“Resources have been invested into ensuring that the stadium is COVID-secure. This has involved upgrades to our ticketing and access control systems, new signage, and hygiene regimes to ensure that the fans’ experience at the stadium is safe.”
However, the match-going fans tell otherwise. It is evident that the overall facilities are not up to date. More investment needed, and definitely fans need to continue addressing the inadequacies.
Have any interesting fact or story about the Old Trafford pitch? Please share in the comment section below!
Thanks for reading!
References:
- Top 20 Biggest Pitches in the Premier League
- 8 Unusual Facts about Manchester United’s Theatre of Dreams
- Old Trafford to get part-synthetic pitch in £800,000 overhaul to revive ‘collapsing’ playing surface
- Wikipedia – GrassMaster
- THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME
- Twitter – Aaron Brocklehurst
- Manchester United ‘open’ to Old Trafford expansion
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