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Apr 1st: FC United's pitch to 'glow in the dark' with pioneering biotechnology

The following article was posted this morning in the spirit of an April Fool’s joke; we hope you enjoyed it. We’re keeping it on the site for those that missed it earlier.

FC United’s new pitch in Moston is set to be the greenest in the UK and glow in the dark thanks to researchers at the University of Salford, who we are teaming up with to pioneer cutting-edge biotechnology involving anecic loam worms.

Tests conducted at the University have discovered that the worms can co-exist in heavy clay soils with harmless bacteria, which are naturally bio-luminescent, and as a result the grass growing in proximity to the activity of the worms glows a slightly brighter green. We are going to link up with the research team to apply this exciting discovery on the main pitch at our new ground.

As supporters will be aware, the wet weather in January and February created a great deal of discussion about pitch drainage issues and the overall quality of the playing surface. As such, the club has been looking at installing a suspended water table pitch to improve drainage.

After holding discussions with biotechnology and horticulture experts at the University, it emerged that an added benefit of this type of pitch construction is that anecic loam worms are attracted to live in the drainage sub structure, due to the fact that the air gaps in the soil structure are larger than in a traditional sand-based pitch. As a result, our pitch represents the perfect opportunity for the University to carry out a pilot project.

FC United’s pitch consultant, David Pilling is delighted with the development. He said: “The University’s research team has been looking for a live site on which to work and they asked us if we could run some preliminary tests. The tests revealed the soil at the site of FC United’s new ground is a perfect environment for these anecic worms.

“The benefit on the pitch is a very low level glow, which will be especially useful for night matches as the players and spectators will be able to enjoy improved visibility, plus the cost of floodlighting can be reduced by a few lumens, further enhancing the club’s green credentials.???

It’s another development that the club is very proud to be at the forefront of. We’ve believed it for a long time but now science has proved it beyond doubt - the grass really is greener in fan owned football.


First Posted ~ 00:00 Tue 1 Apr 2014
News ID ~ 5451
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021