Intelligent plan by Widnes to pitch in for the community

His response would probably be unprintable. Playing on an artificial pitch? No real grass? Pah! Pansies.

In fairness, most of the time the combustible Welsh prop marauded around Naughton Park, there was no grass on the surface then, either. Just mud. So there’s no real difference.

Since those halcyon days in the Seventies, the famously inhospitable Widnes ground has undergone a transformation, being rebuilt as the Stobart Stadium in 1997 and, in a sign of the times, the all-seater venue even currently houses rivals St Helens.

Widnes will return to Super League after a six-year absence next season with a ground, in modern parlance, which is certainly “fit for purpose” and now, it emerges, even their playing field will have a pioneering upgrade.

Yes, the Vikings are going to pillage all before them with the help of an ‘i’ pitch, becoming the first rugby league club to install a fully artificial surface.

But why? Don’t they realise there is no relegation any more and they don’t have to worry about going straight back down?

When the much-maligned ‘plastic’ pitches were introduced to football in the early ’80s, first by QPR and then followed by the likes of Preston, Luton and Oldham, demotion was rarely a fear given each club’s home win record suddenly grew as fast as ... well ... grass.

Maybe Widnes feel they can temper the attacking threats of Sam Tomkins, Rangi Chase and company by ripping their legs to shreds on the razor-like surface while watching their usually searching kicks bounce high into the sky and out towards the Irish Sea. A masterful game plan.

But, alas, the ‘intelligent’ pitch possesses no such malevolent force. There will be no need for rugby league players to start wearing protective but deeply unflattering jogging bottoms or take to trampolines to gain extra leverage and an insight into how to judge a ball’s wicked flight.

Forward-thinking Widnes chairman Steve O’Connor will fork out half-a-million pounds of his own money to install it at the end of the season in readiness for pre-season training in December and its sand-based nature has the full backing of the RFL.

Such have been the advances in technology, there is now no significant risk of burns or fears of twisted ankles, rather a realisation that a consistently effective underfoot surface can be relied upon, despite the rain, snow, ice and general harshness which a British winter can bring.

O’Connor says his vision is for people to be able to actually ‘keep ON the grass’ and his ideals cannot be faulted.

“It is absolute nonsense to have a stadium and not be able to access the pitch for 90 per cent of the time,” says O’Connor, arguing an ordinary surface can only be used on average for 250 hours per year, compared to seven days per week with the artificial grass-like alternative he espouses.

In a sign of how clubs – and councils, given Halton Borough will own the pitch – continually need to find new ways of generating income, Widnes will open the facility to the entire community.

They will encourage seven-a-side football, children’s parties, and corporate events while it is envisaged amateur clubs and schools will also utilise it.

Super League opponents will not go in blind either as Widnes insist they will allow their rivals to train there on the eve of a game.

However, undoubtedly, the Cheshire club are set to gain a marked advantage over their rivals with their regular practice on the surface which requires rubber studs or blades as opposed to traditional grips.

Apparently, their players have approved it already, having recently trialled a similar surface.

Ambitious Widnes certainly intend making their mark in Super League both on and off the artificial pitch although their groundsman may be slightly concerned; it only needs ‘brushing’ five hours per week.