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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 9 November 2007

Martin Jones at the Fields.

Arsenal urged to foot bill for grass their fans trampled

ARSENAL are being asked to help put the green back in Highbury Fields, where grass has been trodden down by thousands of fans using it as a short cut on match days.
Until recently, the club paid for barriers to go up around the Fields – at almost 20 acres the borough’s biggest park – to stop fans walking across the grass.
But, as this tended to deter residents from using the Fields and was difficult to manage by police, the scheme was scrapped this year.
Highbury Fields Association chairman Martin Jones said: “Barriers were put up for three matches as a trial, but it wasn’t successful. The trouble is there is now a prominent line across the fields caused by the fans.”
Islington Council has appointed a soil expert to examine the condition of the turf. He found that “impaction” had stopped air and water penetrating the earth, resulting in grass failing to grow.
The council is being asked to consider removing earth – a massive task in itself – and replacing it with a mixture of soil and sand that can withstand the fans’ feet.
“It is particularly difficult because fans will often walk across the fields in groups of between 10 and 15 wide,” Mr Jones said. “The suggestion in this study is that, although soil replacement may not entirely solve the problem of wear, if there is sufficient maintenance it could at least help to alleviate it. Don’t forget the grass does get the opportunity to grow when there is no football.”
Mr Jones hoped Arsenal would contribute to the scheme if it goes ahead. “It’s the least they can do, bearing in mind their fans are doing the damage,” he said.

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