Brentford Football Club have invested in a set of rain covers for the Griffin Park pitch.
The Club has spent a substantial sum on the covers and they have arrived at Griffin Park this afternoon.
Brentford’s Sky Bet League One match against Crawley Town last Saturday, February 8, was postponed as the Griffin Park pitch was waterlogged.
There has been dry weather in TW8 this week and the ground staff have been able to clear the standing water from the pitch.
Covers are being laid now and will be used whenever necessary to keep the playing surface in the best condition possible.
Alan Walsh, Brentford FC Operations Manager, said: “There have been discussions over the past few months about rain covers and whether to buy or rent some.
“The costs involved are very large and in the past it was not deemed to be value for money.
“Supporters would have seen that the pitch now drains very well, it could cope, for instance, with a severe rain storm that hit when we played Walsall in August.
“We think we have had around 25 inches of rain fall in TW8 in the last couple of months.
“This is the average for what London gets in a year.
“The pitch has held up well but substantial amounts fell when we played Gillingham and then when we played Bristol City.
“The surface became saturated and could not cope with any more.
“The ground staff have been forking the pitch and water has been coming up from below, it is that wet.
“It was felt that we now have to invest in these rain covers if we are to have the pitch in reasonable condition for the rest of this season.
“We have two more seasons at Griffin Park, hopefully not more than that, and they will be useful to us.
“We can also use them at the Training Ground when we move to the new stadium.”
The Club has also purchased a water removal vehicle – better known as a blotter.
Alan added: “The blotter will be used to clear surface liquid from the covers, which will enable us to keep the pitch free of water.
“We hope these measures will enable us to maintain a good playing surface for the rest of the season.
“We are, however, at the mercy of the weather and the water will not drain away unless there is a sustained period of dry conditions.”