Geofleece is a removable frost barrier that protects the grass and prevents the ground from freezing.
Recommended for football, rugby, and all sports pitches as well as horse racing and even horticultural applications.
It ensures fixtures are played despite the weather.
It acts as an insulation layer. The unique honeycomb of soft fibres locks out the frost, traps the ground heat and allows air to flow.
Financial Benefits:
1. The Carbon Trust will give a 2-5 year interest free loan to any club to pay for the pitch cover and Cowens offer an application assistance service as part of the package. Clubs can order now before the frost and not have to pay for years.
2. The FA have introduced a requirement for all clubs to have a provision for frost protection. Geofleece protects against hard frosts, other covers only offer the mildest of frost protection.
3. The product was extensively tested last season and is good for at least -8 degrees C.
Remember how bad a frost there was last season. Games were cancelled and revenues lost. This does not need to be repeated this season!
The Financial Case Study:
The Geofleece justifies itself. Take Carlisle United's actual figures as an example of the loss of income if a match is postponed from Saturday to a midweek evening because of frost:
1. Average crowd reduction from Saturday to Tuesday is 1,900 which costs an income drop of £19k through the turnstiles.
2. Postponement also means lost hospitality income, sponsorship (many companies cannot do night matches), shop sales, programme sales but still incur payment of limited expenses (stewards, safety, bar staff etc) and potentially expenses for the away team if the postponement is made late (after they have commenced travel). This loss could be between £10k to £15k.
Total loss per game: £29 - 34k.
A typical Geofleece for an entire pitch costs well under that, so the entire cost is recouped from saving just one Saturday fixture. In terms of goodwill and keeping the TV companies, fans and sponsors happy, the benefit is priceless.
It could be your safest investment this year.
