No the headline is not a joke, Rochdale AFC are using specialist heat lamps typically found in cannabis farms to cultivate their own grass.
Of course this isn’t part of a the development of a new revenue channel but instead an attempt to improve the playing surface at the club’s Spotland Stadium.
With the Greater Manchester based side’s ground used to host both Rugby and Football fixtures, the turf typically undergoes twice the wear and tear of rival League One Stadiums and as a result a drastic solution is needed.
The Head Groundsman Oli Makin revealed that the lamps were generously donated to the football club by Sgt Andy Fern of Greater Manchester Police.
A close up of the playing surface at Spotland Stadium. The ground’s current capacity is 10,249.
With the expensive lights typically costing anywhere between £20,000 – £30,000 the equipment was well out of budget for the club, and it was only after the 24 year old groundsman heard stories of the Nottingham Police force donating equipment to Notts County that he approached the local police force.
With the equipment generously donated Makin joked that “It has saved the club a fortune and the players will be happy, especially the goalkeeper.”
“We’re starting to use it everyday. After the game on Saturday we put it straight back on the pitch. I know it will work so it will be a massive help. I can’t thank the police enough.”
Maybe this success story could spark help a Green revolution across stadiums in England.