By Craig Smith

EAST FIFE manager Dave Baikie has pledged to support the club should it push ahead with plans to install a synthetic surface at New Bayview.

Club officials are remaining tight-lipped on whether or not the current pitch will be ripped up and replaced with a new generation surface this summer, thought to be at a cost of around £350,000.

But should the Methil board take the ambitious step before the start of next season, Bayview boss Baikie—who admitted he was originally sceptical over the idea —confirmed he would be happy if an artificial surface was laid.

“I’m actually OK with it because these surfaces are so advanced now,” he told Courier Sport.

“The surfaces are excellent nowadays and we’ve seen the benefits these pitches can bring—the sample that I’ve seen was really good quality.

“If the board decide to go ahead, what it does give us is the opportunity to bring in more revenue to the club, which could only be a good thing.

“From my point of view, we know exactly where we are going to train every week and where the youngsters can train and we can also avoid postponements.

“My opinion has certainly changed and because the surfaces are so much more advanced than they were, I could only see it being an advantage.”

Finance will undoubtedly be the chief motivation behind the move, with SPL side Dunfermline having reaped the benefits of thousands of pounds per week in rental revenue when their plastic pitch was in operation.

Last summer, East Fife were in advanced talks with Fife Council about the proposals and had hoped to enter into a partnership to gain the necessary funding.

In addition to calling for a feasibility study into the plans, directors travelled to New Douglas Park in Hamilton to inspect the surface there and investigate the costs involved in laying such a field.

However, even if a funding partnership with the council could not be achieved, it is thought the club would hope to fund the project themselves.

Chairman Derrick Brown has previously described the Astroturf plan as a “possibility,” although no firm announcement has yet been made.

Should the pitch come to fruition, however, the New Bayview surface would be opened up to the local community in a bid to help the Fifers overcome financial challenges which may come their way over the next 12 months.

The Methil side have provisionally organised a friendly with Cowdenbeath on July 14 or 15, although the venue is yet to be confirmed in light of the ongoing pitch talks.

Maybe Derrick can have the turf "installed" on the mound to compansate the damage he done to it wi iz bulldozer!!!!!We might then get ti see the hail game.

"Last summer, East Fife WERE in advanced talks with Fife Council about the proposals and HAD HOPED to enter into a partnership to gain the necessary funding."

(In other words: talks over a possible joint venture with Fife Council have failed. Note use of the past tense.)

"However, even if a funding partnership with the council could not be achieved, it is thought the club would hope to fund the project themselves."

(In other words: the plastic pitch plan is dead in the water.)

"the New Bayview surface would be opened up to the local community in a bid to help the Fifers overcome financial challenges which may come their way over the next 12 months"

Until broon pisses off every local team manager,which shouldnt take to long then he can blame everyone in Levenmouth for its failure.

“If the board decide to go ahead, what it does give us is the opportunity to bring in more revenue to the club, which could only be a good thing."

Just like The Trusts offer to buy £10000 worth of shares, eh no apparently not!

Just like the cash that would have been coming through the turnstiles had Broon not pissed off a great number of fans!

Just like the sponsorship of games and hospitality packages for local businesses!

The only money Derrick likes to receive is money for himself and on his own terms.

Not aiming high when installing a plastic pitch. Mind you the club cannot even get out of the third division and stay in a higher division.

Brown couldn't raise a hardon, nevermind £350,000

told you thatbrown was getting it ,gray is funding that as well

If Gray was going to pour money into the club would it not make sense for him (a businesman) to actually run the club rather than letting Brown (an idiot and incompotent) continue to mismanage it?

It's all hush hush, they don't want anybody to use it.Would cost too much to advertise in E F M. More money well spent Derrick!!
Maybe he has a crafty plan for meters on the floodlights. Save any embarrasment trying to pay the electricity bill again.
Believe the lawnmower that Kirky bought is going up for sale on ebay. Will davie Marshall be bidding for sentimental reasons