Motherwell to move to allow a Fir Park fix

Last updated : 15 March 2008 By Firparkcorner

He said that groundstaff has been at the park overnight and that the main problem was in the newly relaid area. Hot air blowers and covers had been used and early on Saturday morning an attempt had been made to verti-drain the affected area. Instead of surface water disappearing it was found that it came up through the holes to render the area unplayable.

Part of the problem seemed to be a result of the undersoil heating system causing a hardening of the earth below the pipes and preventing proper drainage.


JB said that they were in touch with the SPL and that they were investigating the possibly of relocating some home games to another venue to allow work to be done on the park. Another firm of 'experts' will be invited to examine the pitch in the hope that a fix can be made to allow games to return for the post split games.


The Gretna v Celtic game, due at Fir Park next week will, in all probability, have to be moved and Motherwell would take responsibility for finding an alternative venue.


The SPL will hold an emergency meeting on Monday morning to consider what arrangements can be made to enable games to be played. Boyle re-affirmed that the pitch and subsoil would be lifted after the last game of the season and gave the impression that a solution would be funded.


Once again he argued that the state of the pitch is not a consequence of the ground sharing arrangement and he reminded listeners of Sportsound that our reserve fixtures had been moved.


It seems that Saturday's embarrassment has finally triggered action. It might be argued that this should have happened some time ago (ideally when the undersoil heating was installed) but maybe his is a case of better late than never.