Matlock Town Football Club Can Confirm Artificial Pitch Installation

We acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the new installation. While we aim to address these points here, we understand that it is difficult to satisfy every individual preference.

Regarding the quality of the surface, no expense will be spared; both the construction methods and materials will meet the highest industry standards.

The new installation will include:

Premium Markings: A state-of-the-art artificial surface featuring only standard white pitch markings, with no multi-colored lines.

Fixed Goalposts: Goals will remain fixed in sockets identical to our current setup; stadium goals will not be on wheels.

Advanced Safety: A 25mm (rugby-grade) shock pad will be installed to ensure a more natural playing experience and enhanced injury protection.

Enhanced Drainage: A comprehensive new surface water drainage system will be installed across the entire pitch and surrounding stadium areas.

New LED Floodlights: Enhancing visibility and energy efficiency.

LED Perimeter Advertising Boards: Modernising the pitchside advertising.

New 6m x 3m LED Scoreboard: Providing a state-of-the-art display for fans.

Pitch Perimeter Wall Replacement: The existing wall will be removed and replaced with a safer steel standing rail and bounce-back boards.

Advanced Pitch Maintenance Machinery: Investment in new machinery will ensure the pitch is consistently maintained to the highest standard.

These improvements are being fully funded by the club, without the need for external borrowing or FA grants. This financial independence ensures the club retains complete control over booking systems and usage.

Key Benefits of These Upgrades:

Reduced fixture congestion: Minimising postponements due to adverse weather conditions.

Secured Revenue Streams: Eliminating revenue loss from weather-related cancellations, especially during critical periods or when games are moved from prime Saturday slots.

Increased Income Generation: Significant revenue opportunities from daily pitch hire, competitions, summer camps, charity events and pitch sharing initiatives.

Enhanced Community Hub: The club sports bar will operate seven days a week, generating substantial income and serving as a vibrant community hub.

Unified Club Environment: Providing a central location to bring the entire Matlock Town family together, including the first team, ladies, junior, and development squads.

Regarding the ongoing relationship between Matlock Town Football Club and Matlock and Cromford Meadows Cricket Club, we wish to clarify the current situation.

The two clubs have been in dialogue for 18 months to find a solution that allows the football club to invest in its facilities and progress through the league pyramid without hindering the cricket club’s operations.

Currently, Matlock Town FC holds a new 30-year head lease, while Matlock and Cromford Meadows CC has eight years remaining on a sublease provided by the football club. Under the current arrangement, the cricket club is permitted to remove the boundary fence for senior matches to use part of the football pitch.

However, this arrangement presents significant challenges. The inability to carry out major annual pitch works due to this access has negatively impacted drainage and the pitch foundations. Furthermore, removing the perimeter fence creates serious security risks and invalidates the football club’s insurance.

To secure the investment needed for the club to progress, our assets must be protected by robust security and insurance. Despite repeated requests for a clear security plan and proof of adequate insurance coverage from the cricket club, no such documentation has ever been provided.

The most practical solution is to maintain the perimeter fence permanently. This approach mitigates liability regarding the football club’s assets while allowing the facility to be protected through enhanced security and comprehensive insurance coverage. However, the primary drawback is that senior fixtures would be restricted to the cricket pitch furthest from the football club’s boundary.

In light of this, the football club presented two primary proposals to the cricket club:

• Option One: The football club offered a package exceeding £1.5 million for the cricket club to surrender its lease and relocate entirely to Cromford Meadows.

This funding included significant site improvements at Cromford Meadows whilst offering the cricket club long-term financial security and the resources to elevate its senior teams.

Ultimately, this was rejected as it would have necessitated a reduction in the club’s overall operations.

• Option Two: This proposal allowed the cricket club to remain at Causeway Lane with the boundary fence in place. The offer included over £600,000 in financial support and the conversion of the furthest pitch into a state-of-the-art hybrid surface. These are now used in most professional stadiums. This would increase the pitch’s durability for senior play while leaving the remaining areas available for junior and women’s teams. Combined with the existing Cromford Meadows site, this was presented as a logical solution that also provided substantial financial backing.

The Cricket Club also rejected this offer, insisting instead on maintaining the current arrangement. As this stance detrimentally impacts the Football Club’s progression, we have sought legal advice.

It has been confirmed that neither the head-lease nor the sub-lease restricts the Football Club from installing an artificial surface.

While the boundary fence may be removed in accordance with the lease terms, we reserve the right to protect our assets and facilities. We have informed Matlock and Cromford Meadows Cricket Club that the fence will remain in place until such time that we are provided with a comprehensive insurance policy that fully covers the Football Club while the fence is removed. We anticipate that their insurers will require significant improvements to the Cricket Club’s security equipment and procedures.

All previous offers made to the Cricket Club remain on the table.