In the Norwegian city of Drammen, overlooking the idyllic fjord, there was a gravel pitch.
For years this had been the scene of scraped knees, mossy growth and unpredictably bouncy balls, until a group of local parents clubbed together in 2005 to raise 50,000 kroner (roughly £5,000) to have it upgraded to artificial turf.
While a motivating factor had of course been the safety of the children, for many the redevelopment was viewed as an investment in the talent of local youth, and one six-year-old in particular.
