Anchorians FC Turns Muddy Pitch into Overflow Car Park with Turf Mesh
What does it take to transform a disused, mud-churned five-a-side football pitch into a fully functional overflow car park ready for the wet English winter?
34 rolls of Turf Mesh, 2,500 plastic anchor pegs, 1,000 metal U-pins, 20 volunteers, 15 rubber mallets—and 100 cups of coffee!
Anchorians FC, a thriving grassroots football club, recently completed a new 3G all-weather pitch to serve both players and the wider community. However, this upgrade came at a cost: it consumed space that had previously been used for parking. As weekend fixtures grew busier, the club needed a quick and cost-effective solution for additional vehicle access.
The answer lay in repurposing an unused five-a-side pitch—about 0.4 acres of relatively flat ground perfectly positioned for overflow parking. But time was short. With winter closing in, the softened surface was deteriorating rapidly. Volunteers and coaches found themselves spending precious match time helping parents recover stuck vehicles.
With no budget for hardcore surfacing or desire for a permanent aggregate car park, Anchorians turned to Sinclair & Rush’s Turf Mesh as a temporary yet highly effective alternative.
Working quickly ahead of the worst weather, volunteers laid the Turf Mesh across the entire surface in just one morning. Although there wasn’t enough time for grass to establish before winter, the mesh provided an immediate benefit by stopping vehicles from sinking. Careful installation included 150–200mm overlaps between rolls and the use of U-pins to secure joints that didn’t sit flush.
We supplied standard 25m green rolls, with a choice of metal U-pins and plastic anchor pegs to accommodate ground conditions. A black version is also available by special order.
📆 Performance Timeline
Spring 2022 (5 months post-installation):
The ground began to recover, and grass started growing through the mesh.
Summer 2022 (8 months):
Fully bedded in. The mesh was withstanding regular use with no signs of damage. The local council continued cutting the grass without obstruction.
January 2023 (14 months):
Despite extreme winter rainfall, the mesh remained intact. Some mud developed in high-traffic areas, but the mesh prevented vehicles from sinking. Other club grounds were closed, but the mesh-covered area remained usable.
April 2023:
“Despite waterlogged ground, we’ve been able to park cars without issue. Traction is maintained even in the worst areas. Without the mesh, parking here simply wouldn’t be possible.”
– Allan, Coach at Anchorians FC
The Turf Mesh has proved itself under repeated stress. While heavy use continues to strip some grass in high-traffic areas, tyre grip is maintained, and vehicles stay on top of the ground. The club is even considering expanding the mesh area to accommodate growing demand.
💬 Feedback from Volunteers
“The cold weather made the mesh tougher to handle and we needed more pegs than expected. Gloves are a must—the edges can be sharp.”
– Ant, Volunteer & Coach
“We literally covered a lot of ground with the 50m² rolls. Once pegged, the surface held up well.”
– Al, Volunteer & Coach
“For larger projects, I’d recommend laying this in spring for faster grass growth—but at least the ground was soft enough for pegs.”
– Rob, Volunteer & Coach
Anchorians FC and Sinclair & Rush thank the dedicated team of volunteers who made this transformation possible. Parking has now become far more manageable, helping reduce stress for visitors and minimise disruption for local residents.
