Bristol may have been bathed in glorious sunshine for several weeks now but for Dan Sparks, Bristol Sport Group's Grounds Manager, while there’s a slight reluctance in his voice to admit it, he’s hoping for more than a little rain over the summer months.
When supporters return to Ashton Gate over the weekend of August 5, with Bristol City likely to be at home for the start of the Championship season as the Balloon Fiesta falls on the following weekend, the stadium will look much the same but, at the same time, will be fundamentally different.
For the first time in nine years, the decision has been made to completely renovate the pitch, removing the old hybrid grass that was installed for the start of the 2014/15 season and replace it with a newer, hopefully more durable product.
