3G Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we get asked:
[Q] Aren't 3G artificial football pitches rubbish with an unnatural bounce?
[A] No, not at all. You are probably remembering the first and second generation of artificial pitches like those installed at Luton Town, Oldham Athletic, QPR and Preston North End in the 1980s. Today's 3G pitches are a world apart having benefitted from many years of research and technology.
[Q] Is Fans For 3G proposing that all grass pitches are replaced with 3G surfaces?
[A] Certainly not. We believe it should be up to each club to decide whether or not they want a grass pitch or 3G pitch in their stadium. What works best for some clubs may not be right for others. While we believe 3G surfaces should be allowed at all levels, it is unlikely the larger English FA Premier League sides will want to change from grass as they have the staff and funds to keep their current pitches in a fantastic condition. Free choice for all clubs at all levels is our vision.
[Q] What's the difference between "Fans For 3G" and "3G4US"?
[A] Fans For 3G is "a collective of football fans promoting 3G (Football Turf) surfaces while campaigning for them to be accepted for use at all levels of the English game". 3G4US is "a group of over 50 UK professional and semi-professional football clubs promoting benefits of 3G turf football pitches". Both groups share a similar vision for the future of English football and its acceptance of 3G surfaces at all levels of the game.
[Q] Which leagues in the English leagues system don't currently allow the use of 3G pitches?
[A] At the current time, no league/division above national level 7 (non-league step 3) allows 3G surfaces to be used. For more information about the English national leagues system, please see this page on Wikipedia. No games in the FA Cup beyond the 4th Qualifying Round can currently be played on a 3G pitch either.
[Q] What's the difference between 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G?
[A] A tricky question to answer. Officially there is no surface newer/better than 3G at the current time. That's because 3G stands for "third generation" and all of the latest surface designs are a part of the third generation of pitches (which may vary slightly in their construction). 4G and 5G (plus all kinds of other descriptions) are basically marketing terms used by manufacturers to make their surfaces sound newer/better but, which are, fairly meaningless when it comes to describing the pitch itself. (That said, it is quite possible that terms such as 4G and 5G could become officially adopted for newer surface types at some point in the future.) Likewise, the terms 1G and 2G were never really used before the advent of 3G and so there is no widespread agreement on the exact definitions to be used now for these pre-3G surfaces (at least in relation to football use).
A much better way to consider and describe the artificial grass surfaces available today is to categorise them as below:
(R) - Rubber Crumb 3G
(i) Long Pile (60-65mm + Shockpad) - The preferred artificial surface for rugby and suitable for competitive football
(ii) Long Pile (55-60mm + Optional Shockpad) - The preferred artificial surface for competitive football
(iii) Short Pile (40mm + Optional Shockpad) - An acceptable artificial surface for both hockey and football
(S) - Sand
(i) Sand Filled (Shockpad Optional) - An acceptable artificial surface for competitive hockey and suitable for football training
(ii) Sand Dressed (Shockpad Optional) - The preferred artificial surface for competitive hockey and suitable for football training
(W) - Water
(i) Water Based (Shockpad Optional) - The preferred artificial surface for high level hockey matches
[Source: Sport England]
(American football and lacrosse, although less common in England, are two other sports that regularly use modern artificial pitches for competitive fixtures.)
[Q] What is "Football Turf"?
[A] "Football Turf" is the official name used by FIFA and the FA to describe the latest artificial football surfaces (3G). In many respects it is a better name than 3G because, at some point in the future, there may well be a fourth generation (4G) of pitches etc. and this name won't actually need changing (although it's not without other issues, given that most people think of turf as natural grass). Fans For 3G did consider using either "Fans For Football Turf" or "Fans For FT" as our organisational name. However, it was felt that the term "3G" is currently much better understood by most in the UK.
[Q] When was Fans For 3G formed?
[A] Fans For 3G was officially formed on 15 January 2014. However, the idea for Fans For 3G was first considered early in 2012 and - since then - those now involved with Fans For 3G have been quietly promoting the benefits of 3G football pitches behind the scenes.
[Q] Is Fans For 3G on Facebook and Twitter?
[A] Yes, we are - and this is the best way to stay in touch with all things 3G! Please use the Facebook and Twitter icon links at the top right-hand corner of each page of this website to like/follow us on these social media sites.
[Q] Can I join Fans For 3G?
[A] We have decided not to make Fans For 3G a formal membership organisation (which would take a fair amount of administering) so that we could concentrate all of our efforts on promoting - and campaigning for - 3G (Football Turf) pitches. That said, we would love it if you would "join us" on Facebook and Twitter and help "spread the word" about the benefits of 3G. To do so, please use the Facebook and Twitter icon links at the top right-hand corner of each page of this website and then click on "like" (Facebook) and/or "follow" (Twitter).
[Q] How can I contact Fans For 3G?
[A] Please use the envelope icon at the top right-hand corner of each page of this website to send us an email.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we get asked:
[Q] Aren't 3G artificial football pitches rubbish with an unnatural bounce?
[A] No, not at all. You are probably remembering the first and second generation of artificial pitches like those installed at Luton Town, Oldham Athletic, QPR and Preston North End in the 1980s. Today's 3G pitches are a world apart having benefitted from many years of research and technology.
[Q] Is Fans For 3G proposing that all grass pitches are replaced with 3G surfaces?
[A] Certainly not. We believe it should be up to each club to decide whether or not they want a grass pitch or 3G pitch in their stadium. What works best for some clubs may not be right for others. While we believe 3G surfaces should be allowed at all levels, it is unlikely the larger English FA Premier League sides will want to change from grass as they have the staff and funds to keep their current pitches in a fantastic condition. Free choice for all clubs at all levels is our vision.
[Q] What's the difference between "Fans For 3G" and "3G4US"?
[A] Fans For 3G is "a collective of football fans promoting 3G (Football Turf) surfaces while campaigning for them to be accepted for use at all levels of the English game". 3G4US is "a group of over 50 UK professional and semi-professional football clubs promoting benefits of 3G turf football pitches". Both groups share a similar vision for the future of English football and its acceptance of 3G surfaces at all levels of the game.
[Q] Which leagues in the English leagues system don't currently allow the use of 3G pitches?
[A] At the current time, no league/division above national level 7 (non-league step 3) allows 3G surfaces to be used. For more information about the English national leagues system, please see this page on Wikipedia. No games in the FA Cup beyond the 4th Qualifying Round can currently be played on a 3G pitch either.
[Q] What's the difference between 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G?
[A] A tricky question to answer. Officially there is no surface newer/better than 3G at the current time. That's because 3G stands for "third generation" and all of the latest surface designs are a part of the third generation of pitches (which may vary slightly in their construction). 4G and 5G (plus all kinds of other descriptions) are basically marketing terms used by manufacturers to make their surfaces sound newer/better but, which are, fairly meaningless when it comes to describing the pitch itself. (That said, it is quite possible that terms such as 4G and 5G could become officially adopted for newer surface types at some point in the future.) Likewise, the terms 1G and 2G were never really used before the advent of 3G and so there is no widespread agreement on the exact definitions to be used now for these pre-3G surfaces (at least in relation to football use).
A much better way to consider and describe the artificial grass surfaces available today is to categorise them as below:
(R) - Rubber Crumb 3G
(i) Long Pile (60-65mm + Shockpad) - The preferred artificial surface for rugby and suitable for competitive football
(ii) Long Pile (55-60mm + Optional Shockpad) - The preferred artificial surface for competitive football
(iii) Short Pile (40mm + Optional Shockpad) - An acceptable artificial surface for both hockey and football
(S) - Sand
(i) Sand Filled (Shockpad Optional) - An acceptable artificial surface for competitive hockey and suitable for football training
(ii) Sand Dressed (Shockpad Optional) - The preferred artificial surface for competitive hockey and suitable for football training
(W) - Water
(i) Water Based (Shockpad Optional) - The preferred artificial surface for high level hockey matches
[Source: Sport England]
(American football and lacrosse, although less common in England, are two other sports that regularly use modern artificial pitches for competitive fixtures.)
[Q] What is "Football Turf"?
[A] "Football Turf" is the official name used by FIFA and the FA to describe the latest artificial football surfaces (3G). In many respects it is a better name than 3G because, at some point in the future, there may well be a fourth generation (4G) of pitches etc. and this name won't actually need changing (although it's not without other issues, given that most people think of turf as natural grass). Fans For 3G did consider using either "Fans For Football Turf" or "Fans For FT" as our organisational name. However, it was felt that the term "3G" is currently much better understood by most in the UK.
[Q] When was Fans For 3G formed?
[A] Fans For 3G was officially formed on 15 January 2014. However, the idea for Fans For 3G was first considered early in 2012 and - since then - those now involved with Fans For 3G have been quietly promoting the benefits of 3G football pitches behind the scenes.
[Q] Is Fans For 3G on Facebook and Twitter?
[A] Yes, we are - and this is the best way to stay in touch with all things 3G! Please use the Facebook and Twitter icon links at the top right-hand corner of each page of this website to like/follow us on these social media sites.
[Q] Can I join Fans For 3G?
[A] We have decided not to make Fans For 3G a formal membership organisation (which would take a fair amount of administering) so that we could concentrate all of our efforts on promoting - and campaigning for - 3G (Football Turf) pitches. That said, we would love it if you would "join us" on Facebook and Twitter and help "spread the word" about the benefits of 3G. To do so, please use the Facebook and Twitter icon links at the top right-hand corner of each page of this website and then click on "like" (Facebook) and/or "follow" (Twitter).
[Q] How can I contact Fans For 3G?
[A] Please use the envelope icon at the top right-hand corner of each page of this website to send us an email.
