Pitching for a perfect final

Last updated : 24 April 2003 By Christian Kelly

As fantastic as the Millennium stadium is, it's one of those grounds who, by it's very structure, make it really tough to get and keep an excellent playing surface.

As a result, the pitch has been relaid twelve times in the last four years. With two big rugby games coming up, and the pitches condition already in doubt, there could be a move to resurface it before the final.

'The pitch is in a fair condition at the moment,' said the FA's Phil Barber.

'We will look at it over the next week, and take a decision at that time as to whether it needs to be relaid or whether we will go with what we've got there.'

It would be very disapointing for both sets of fans to have to contest the final on a sub standard surface. While the Millenium Stadium ground staff have done a superb job for previous finals, I can see the FA trying to save pennies by not getting it resurfaced if they think they can get away with it.