New pitch to be laid at the Crown Oil Arena

The pitch at the Crown Oil Arena is a quagmire

A new pitch is to be laid at the Crown Oil Arena - home of Rochdale AFC and Rochdale Hornets RLFC - with work commencing immediately.

The work will be finished in time for Dale's FA Cup fifth round tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 18 February.

The very poor condition of the pitch at the Crown Oil Arena has been a cause of concern for both Rochdale Football Club and Rochdale Hornets and their supporters, with both clubs having to postpone recent games.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/115723/concern-over-condition-of-the-pitch-at-the-crown-oil-arena

Dale did manage to play an FA Cup fourth round replay against Millwall in midweek, but the pitch had to be very heavily sanded and was clearly in a bad state.

The pitch heavily sanded for the midweek FA Cup tie

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/115972/football-fa-cup-fourth-round-replay-rochdale-1-0-millwall

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino had criticised the playing surface prior to Spurs visit to Rochdale next weekend.

He said "It is not a pitch in a condition to play football."

A spokesperson for Rochdale Football Club said: "We have been in communication with contractors throughout the week and preparatory work had taken place prior to the scheduled Fleetwood fixture in the eventuality that the game should fall foul of the weather. Plans will now be put into action immediately."

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/116071/football-dale-game-postponed-following-pitch-inspection

The spokesperson added: "We share the disappointment of supporters for today’s postponement but would like to assure everyone this decision has been taken to allow us to fulfil next weekend’s game and to give Keith Hill and his players the opportunity to fulfil the remainder of the league campaign on a surface we can all be proud of."

This will be the second time in a year that the pitch has been relaid - similar concerns about the state of the pitch in February last year led to the decision being taken to relay it.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/108072/rochdale-afc-relaying-pitch

The pitch being relaid in February 2017