Port Vale confirm that pitch improvement work has begun
The Valiants have wasted no time in improving the Vale Park pitch with work beginning on the first working day after the final home game of the season.
The playing surface has been the subject of much criticism this season and although funds don’t stretch to a new pitch, chair Carol Shanahan said earlier this year that this summer’s work will serve as a foundation for future pitch improvements.
The work is being undertaken by Chappelow Sports Turf who have completed similar jobs for Bradford City, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United.
A club statement said:
Initial renovation and drainage works of the Vale Park playing surface have begun.
The club will be working alongside Chappelow Sports Turf Limited who have today started to remove surface vegetation.
Once this has been completed they will then be installing new perforated lateral drains that will feed into slotted bore pipes around the pitch, meaning water flow will now run correctly into main drain chambers instead of sitting within the pitch profile.
Sand slits will then be placed between the lateral drains and sand reintroduced to help further dispersal of rainwater.
On completion of the above, the remaining pitch maintenance will be carried out by the club grounds team ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.