McAree calls on the authorities to help clubs ease their pitch problems

Speaking after his side’s 1-0 win over Coleraine at The Showgrounds McAree called on the game’s authorities to help teams with their picthes.

Finances have been made available for other ground improvements for clubs in the Irish League.

However, this has generally been used for stands and other ground works.

Several clubs have made the decision to move to artificial surfaces in a bid to ease their own pitch problems such as Cliftonville, who had numerous problems with their playing surface at Solitude before moving to 3G.

Conditions made the home pitch difficult on Saturday and the Swifts boss says it’s now time for clubs to be given help.

“The surface probably doesn’t lend itself to free flowing football,” said McAree afterwards.

“It’s unfortunate but clubs in this country don’t have the finances to put into their surfaces.

“We all need help there’s no doubt about that. Across the country clubs need help to work on the surfaces if we are going to try and improve the game here further.

“This is becoming a really big issue and unfortunately clubs just don’t have the finances to dedicate towards this sort of thing.

“At this time of the season the pitches are getting that wee bit harder and drier so they are bobbly.

“Both teams have to play the surface though, it is what it is.

“We certainly wouldn’t be looking for any excuse with regards to the surface.

“You just have to get on with it and I thought we did that well today.”