Removal of existing turf and fibre reinforced upper profile


well as a fibre reinforced upper roozone. As part of this scheme, new lateral drains were installed, these running across the width of the pitch at 6m centres linking up with the existing drainage outfall. The introduction of these drains effectively replaced the original pipe drains associated with the old Cell System. As part of this process, the existing capping layer of topsoil was retained, and gravel slits were cut through this at right angles to the lateral drains at 750mm centres and to a depth of 200mm. The slits provided porous channels through which water could be rapidly transmitted through the topsoil capping layer into the underlying sand. Above this, a 150mm layer of medium-


fine rootzone sand was placed, and the new pitch profile was completed with the introduction of a 100mm fibre reinforced rootzone layer. The new construction obviously raised the overall level of the finished pitch surface, and appropriate adjustments were made around the outer edges of the pitch, with the formation of embankments down to the front elevations of the adjoining stands. This refurbishment helped restore a


more conventional pitch profile that performed satisfactorily for the remainder of the decade, apart from the problems caused by the absence of an undersoil heating system. The only trace of the original Cell System construction remaining was the pure sand lower profile beneath the topsoil capping layer. Subsequently, the sloping outer natural grass edges of the pitch were replaced with a 3G synthetic turf to reduce their management requirements.


The recent upgrade


Works commenced on the latest upgrade to the pitch on 7th May 2010, and the appointed contractor for the pitch redevelopment was Premier Pitches, with Pitch Heating being employed, under a separate contract, for the installation of the undersoil heating system. The initial requirement was to establish an access route onto the pitch for the passage of machinery and materials on and off the site. The tight confines of the Craven Cottage stadium meant that there was only one possible access route that could be gained, between the Hammersmith and Johnny Haynes stand at the northeastern-most corner of the


pitch. This necessitated the temporary removal of some of the adjoining seats, whilst the main access route was protected by the placement of plywood sheeting, covered by some of the reinforced rootzone material removed from the pitch. Two tracked 360° excavators were


brought in to strip off the existing turf and upper 100mm of rootzone, that included the old polypropylene fibre reinforcement. The remaining lower rootzone sand was then laser graded in order to achieve a more consistent playing surface. The original pitch surface had a ridge back type formation, resulting in a 100mm fall from its longitudinal centre line to each wing, and this overall grade was retained as part of the redevelopment.


At the northern and southern ends of the pitch, a deeper 1.5m wide trench was excavated, up to 400mm below the finished pitch surface, to accommodate the flow/return pipework and connection points for the new pitch heating system. Once the exposed sandy rootzone had been trimmed, the next stage was the introduction of the heating system, commencing with the laying of the


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