Recurrence of gray leaf spot on playing surface at Select Car Leasing Stadium
The pitch at the Select Car Leasing Stadium is currently experiencing issues because of a fungal disease called gray leaf spot, an unavoidable recurrence of the same situation that we experienced a year ago.
The ground staff are working around the clock to treat this problem, which cannot be resolved through fungicides. However, it can be managed and eventually eliminated through pitch care, with our staff doing all they can to work towards this outcome.
Therefore, fans should be aware this will lead to a few small changes in matchday operations, including the temporary halt of half-time entertainment, and mascots’ access to the pitch.
The extreme weather conditions which the pitch has been exposed to over the last few months, which saw the hottest June on record, have created difficulties for grounds staff all over the country.
Gray leaf spot is one of the main consequences of this, with several grounds dealing with the same issue. High temperatures and leaf wetness are the two key factors in the initial infection of GLS, with the fact that symptoms do not show immediately making it difficult to diagnose.
Thankfully, these issues are contained to a small area of the ground, making the disease easier to treat if it is not spread any further. To prevent this, several measures are being put in place to ensure the hard work of the ground staff does not go to waste.
These measures, combined with the cooler weather expected over the next few weeks, will offer the favourable conditions required to give the ground staff the best chance of suppressing the disease.
As a result, access to the pitch and its grass fringes is currently limited to grounds staff during the week, and will be extended to players, coaches, and media if necessary on matchdays. Access to the playing surface will be limited to players and referees only.
Update on opening training session
As well as the preventative measures listed above, the schedule at the SCL is jam-packed with fixtures in Men’s League One and EFL Trophy, Women’s Championship, and Under-21s Premier League 2.
But we are putting plans in place for the open training session for supporters who committed early to a Season Ticket - we are arranging a date within the gaps in the schedule which will allow as many supporters as possible to attend. Once arranged, the date will be communicated to fans well in advance to give them the best opportunity to plan their attendance!
Thank you for your patience, and for your understanding of the hard work that our grounds staff are putting in to get the pitch in the best condition possible for the new season.