22 Dec 2009Undersoil heating 'should be compulsory for Football League clubs'

Football Clubs News | Football Technology and Stadia

The installation of undersoil heating should become mandatory for all English Premier League and Football League members, according to Stan Collymore.

Writing in his column for the Daily Mirror, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker claims that too many games are still being called off due to a lack of such facilities.

The cold weather forced the postponement of a host of fixtures around the country last weekend, with frozen pitches blamed for the lack of action at the Cardiff City Stadium and Bloomfield Road.

Scunthorpe United's Championship game against Ipswich Town was also called off following an early pitch inspection.

Collymore suggests that the FA should set up a special fund to "make the national winter sport able to cope with winter" and support clubs who cannot afford undersoil heating.

Wigan Athletic's Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers at the DW Stadium was postponed due to the weather last night (December 21st), although the home side stressed that the surface was perfectly playable.

The decision was prompted by concerns over the safety of supporters travelling to and from the game, the club said in a statement.

Written by Mark Thompson

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