Hawks boss dismisses 3G critics

By David Watters

Harlow manager Danny Chapman has been stoking the debate over 3G pitches after his side's Ryman North promotion play-off final success.

Chapman, pictured, dismissed critics of artificial surfaces after guiding the Hawks to promotion to the Ryman's top flight next season with a pulsating 3-1 play-off final win over Hornchurch on their all-weather surface at the Harlow Arena on May 1.

And with the promotion of Ryman North champions Sudbury and Ryman South play-off winners Worthing who also play on 3G - it means 69 points will be decided in the Ryman's top flight on artificial surfaces next season.

National League South champions Sutton United and play-off winners Maidstone also play on 3G and Chapman defended the surfaces in an interview with James Colasanti for www.prokituk.com.

The former Barnet defender said: “I think some teams are just making excuses when it comes to 3G - especially if they end up losing on it. Most teams train on it every week anyway, and we have to play on grass every other week, so it is not an advantage for anyone and I am sure that if any club could afford to put it down then they would.

“I never got the chance to play on 3G but I would have loved to have done so. It’s never bobbly or uneven and that is regularly a criticism of Non-League pitches. And we have a player in Ibrahima Sonko who has played in the Premier League and he enjoys playing at our ground. I think that tells you all you need to know about it.”

Images courtesy of Andy Nunn and Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO

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