- Jan 4, 2005
- 27,978
- 82,216
Are you sure about that? There are minimum and maximum set pitch sizes so within that clubs are able to set their pitch. They are not allowed to change it from game to game. There was a dictate a few years ago laying down a size but then they also said clubs can be exempt from that if they have special reasons ... and I suspect we are one of those since only Stoke has a smaller pitch.
From the premier league handbook:
K.15. Unless otherwise permitted by the Board, in League Matches the length of the pitch
shall be 105 metres and its breadth 68 metres.
K.16. The Board shall only give permission to a Club for the dimensions of its pitch to be
other than as set out in Rule K.15 if it is impossible for it to comply with Rule K.15 due
to the nature of the construction of its Stadium.
K.17. A Club shall register the dimensions of its pitch before the commencement of each
Season by giving written notice thereof in Form 8 to the Board.
K.18. The Board may at any time require a Club to obtain and submit to the Board a report
by an independent expert certifying its pitch dimensions.
K.19. No Club shall alter the dimensions of its pitch during the Season without the prior
written consent of the Board.
K.20. The height of the pitch grass shall not exceed 30mm and the entire playing surface
must be cut to the same height.
K.21. Each Club shall take all reasonable steps to maintain its pitch in good condition
throughout the Season and the Board may require a Club to take such steps as the
Board shall specify if it is not satisfied that the pitch is being maintained to an
adequate standard.
K.22. Each Club shall provide and maintain at its Stadium an undersoil heating system for
its pitch and shall ensure, so far as is reasonably possible, that the pitch is playable
on the occasion of each home League Match.