RUFC - New ground to have undersoil heating?

Rotherham United's Chief Operating Officer, Paul Douglas says that the club are seriously thinking of putting in undersoil heating in the new stadium.

'Even before this current cold spell, we were considering putting in undersoil heating,' Mr Douglas told The Advertiser.

The Millers have had three games called off at Don Valley due to the bad weather, although it's not only the pitch that has caused concern it is also the safety of the fans getting too and from the stadium that has had to be thought about.

Speaking about Don Valley, Mr Douglas said, 'It would cost a minimum of £500,000 to rip up a pitch, install the heating system and relay it again.

'Clubs at the top level could back that investment in three or four matches but few clubs, if any, at our level, have that sort of money or the time to recoup the money spent.

'But if you are building a new stadium then you can factor the cost in which is one of the things we are considering.'

Speaking about the covers, which, from next season the Football League are insisting every club has, Mr Douglas said, 'The covers only take affect down to a temperature of minus five. And, if you aren't getting enough sun on them during the day, the games are still touch and go. Which is one of the problems we've faced recently.'

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