The size of the pitch

[zuricity]

I realise that there is a max and min size for the length and width of a pitch and probably the clubs announce their dimensions. Is there a rule to ensure a club keeps the dimensions the same for the season though ?

After watching the highlights of the Wigan game for the third time just now :-) ,

I noticed (motd highlights) that Stoke still had markings, outside the current pitch size from a previous game ( possibly) . Against Liverpool they appear to have reduced the length and breadth of the pitch. This set me to thinking if they change their pitch depending on their opposition, not a nice thing to do. Or is my observation irrelevant ?

[Dameerto]

I know a few clubs (including us, I believe) would alter their hoardings when playing Stoke to prevent Delap from getting a long run for his throwins - not sure about markings though.

[Dameerto]

Maybe they have different dimensions marked out for Europe? I would presume they'd have to stick to specified dimensions for the season for FA events.

[Alioune DVToure]

One of my favourite memories as a City fan is when we were neck and neck with Ipswich for promotion from the old first division in 1999/2000. Tranmere came to play at Maine Road and they had a fella called Dave Challinor who was the Rory Delap of his day. We moved all the advertising boards a yard closer to the pitch and nailed planks of wood between them so that he couldn't get any momentum on his run-ups. Does anyone else remember this? Piss funny, and typical of the quirky shit that used to go down at Maine Road.

[Slim]

23. A Club shall register the dimensions of its pitch before the commencement of each Season by
giving written notice thereof in Form 12 to the Secretary.

[Slim]

There is also a minimum of 6 feet from the markings to the hoardings, but the FA prefer it to be 6½ feet.

[zuricity]

23. A Club shall register the dimensions of its pitch before the commencement of each Season by
giving written notice thereof in Form 12 to the Secretary.

thanks slim. I'll remember you in my will.

[dazby]

23. A Club shall register the dimensions of its pitch before the commencement of each Season by
giving written notice thereof in Form 12 to the Secretary.

thanks slim. I'll remember you in my will.

Be sure to bequeath him your curtains.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Seem to recall that before the start of the 1971/72 season, City widened the pitch at Maine Road quite appreciably. We'd just signed Wyn Davies and Big Mal said that he wanted to provide extra space on the flanks to allow wide players more leeway to get crosses in to him.

Can't remember the dimensions but, at that time, I think City had the largest pitch in the League which, as a very fit side, suited us even further although, by the same token, it allowed the opposition more space to attack as well.

1971/72 was a great season which, sadly, fell apart at the very end (by signing Rodney Marsh ??).

[john@staustell]

As Dameerto says, there is a different requirement for Europe, according to the commentator on the Stoke highlights. They have to widen it for Europa, hence the outer markings.

[zuricity]

23. A Club shall register the dimensions of its pitch before the commencement of each Season by
giving written notice thereof in Form 12 to the Secretary.

thanks slim. I'll remember you in my will.

Be sure to bequeath him your curtains.

What the Curtains ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWpeq8IXA5k

[Wonderwall]

This rule is one of the newest around. This was only brought in over the last 20 years or so ago. Everton were one of the catalysts of clubs asking for the rule changes as they were changing their pitch size on a weekly basis to counteract their opponents strength. I remember one of their games against the rags where they narrowed the pitch to the minimum to stop the rags wide players.

[Dipstick]

I seem to remember that Howard Kendall had the Maine Road pitch narrowed by a long way to stop Peter Reid getting knackered and to tighten up play.

As a result we played some of the most boring football in the club's history - not matched until Stuart Pearce took over.