Dundee United are investing over £20,000 this summer to make sure they have the best playing surface in the Championship.
Since manager Csaba Laszlo was appointed in November, he’s stressed the need for a pristine pitch to match the passing style he wants from the Tangerines.
And while last season the surface was the envy of most of their second-tier rivals, the board have stumped up five figures to make sure it’s even better next term and beyond.
They announced this week the existing turf has been lifted and a process known as vertical sand-banding started.
While that’s a complicated, as well as expensive, process, the new and improved pitch will be ready when the first of the Betfred Cup group matches kick off there in as little as six weeks.
The work being carried out will also improve drainage – something that has been a problem, particularly in the area near the tunnel at the Eddie Thompson Stand end of Tannadice.
And, while most of the budget for the next 12 months is going on putting together a squad capable of winning promotion, chairman Mike Martin is viewing the pitch project as a sound investment.
“We are investing in our on and off-field operations in a structured way with every aspect of our work designed to deliver improvement throughout the club,” he said.
“In this case, we aim to make sure that Tannadice continues to be one of the best surfaces in the country for playing professional football.”
Those Betfred Cup fixtures are expected to be confirmed next week with league fixtures out on June 14.
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