Interesting article, thanks Michael. I heard there was an issue about the firmness of the first pitch.

The frequency of hamstring and calf strains in the modern era certainly prompts a question about the surfaces on which players not only play matches but also train. Top clubs make a significant investment in fitness and conditioning and have the benefit of greater use of substitutes yet there seem to be far more of this type of injury than there were back in the 60’s and 70’s when a typical football season was played on three surfaces: grass, mud and sand.

Equally there may be some truth in the theory that top footballers are like thoroughbred horses. They are fitter, faster and hence more vulnerable to injury.