Ballymena United assistant manager Bryan McLaughlin has lent his voice to calls for a 4G pitch to be installed at the Warden Street Showgrounds.
The current grass surface at the venue, which has badly deteriorated over the past couple of years, has come in for heavy criticism in recent weeks.
Supporters branded it a “bog” and a “paddy field” following a postponement of an Irish Cup tie with Portstewart after a brief rainfall two weeks ago.
Mid and East Antrim Council, who installed the pitch in 2018, admitted this month that the “grass playing surface has proved difficult to manage.”
And McLaughlin believes the time has come for Ballymena to consider following the lead of other Irish League clubs and put the case for an artificial surface at their home ground.
Cliftonville, Crusaders, Larne and Coleraine all currently play on 4G pitches with derby rivals Coleraine installing their new surface in the summer.
Speaking on Radio Ulster after Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Glenavon in the Danske Bank Premiership, McLaughlin said: “The pitch is in a terrible condition and we need to deal with it.
“I’m actually surprised the game was on. On Tuesday night (Irish Cup tie v Portstewart) the pitch was in a really bad state with the rain. Last Saturday was the same.
“There was no water lying on the pitch today but it is in a terrible state.”
Ballymena currently train on a 4G pitch at the modern Showgrounds complex and McLaughlin is hopeful a similar surface can be laid in the main arena in the not-too-distant future.
The respected coach, who has been David Jeffrey's trusted lieutenant for the best part of the past two decades, said: “I believe the 4G we train on is getting replaced this year.
"I have also heard there is potential that they’re going to put a 4G surface down on the main arena.
“Whatever has happened in the past is gone now and we need to look forward and see how we are going to fix this. Hopefully we fix it by potentially putting another 4G down.
“You have seen what Coleraine have done with their pitch and you see Cliftonville playing on it and also Crusaders.
“As a stadium the Showgrounds is one of the best stadiums in the league. We just need to fix the surface. We need to play and perform on the best surface we can.”
Earlier this month, Mid and East Antrim Council said it has been working with pitch maintenance specialists to “manage and improve the pitch on an ongoing basis”.
However, a council statement added: “Long-term, we urgently require the release of the promised Sub-regional Stadia Funding to significantly upgrade the pitch and facilities to the highest possible standard.”
A new pitch was installed and laid at the Ballymena Showgrounds in 2018 as part of a substantial investment in the sporting facility by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
But less than four years later and despite ongoing remedial work, major drainage problems and other issues exist.
Ballymena United chairman John Taggart said the club was committed to seeking “a solution from Mid and East Antrim Council” to ensure the Showgrounds pitch is “of a standard befitting the highest standard of local football”.
