Buxton set to become the latest Non-League club to install a 3G surface

Pic: Richard Parkes

BUXTON look set to become the latest Non-League side to turn to 3G after unveiling plans to install an artificial pitch at their Silverlands home.

The Bucks strengthened their play-off push in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier with Tuesday night’s 2-0 win against Frickley Athletic but they are also looking to the future.

The Derbyshire outfit are hoping the installation of an artificial surface will allow the club to play a bigger part in the local community.

Only the first team, development squad and U18s currently play at the Silverlands but Buxton want to get more use out of its facility.

The plans for the 3G pitch would see the Bucks join the likes of Maidstone, Tamworth, Harrogate, Slough Town, Sutton United, Hyde and Eastbourne Borough in ripping up their grass surface.

The aim is to have the new pitch installed for the start of the 2018-19 campaign alongside a facility offering educational programmes such as BTECs and A Levels.

Buxton chairman David Hopkins said: “With such a well-positioned facility in the town it is so frustrating to us all at the club that for the vast majority of the time our main asset, the pitch, cannot be used as we have to work hard to protect the surface for the first team, which of course is not always easy in Buxton.

“As the leading football club in the immediate area we should do more to engage with the town, and during my time at the club it has been a constant frustration that we have been unable to offer our facilities to the broader wider community including girls’ and boys’ football right through to veterans and even walking football.

“We were delighted recently to be able to team up with a local disabled football group, but these opportunities are restricted with the limitations of only having a single grass pitch.

“With the advancement in quality of artificial pitches in recent years we now feel that the time is right to replace the current grass pitch at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium with an artificial 3G surface.

“The new 3G surface will also benefit our first team, as there will be much less chance of games having to be postponed due to adverse weather as has recently happened with scheduled matches against Frickley and Ilkeston.

“However, the big win will be that Buxton will at last have an accessible stadium environment for all ages and abilities wishing to play football.”