RAK Rocks host Arabian Knights on new sand pitch

Matt Jones - Editor 01:17 12/09/2016
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  • Journey begins: RAK Rocks finally have their own pitch.

    It was an historic moment for the Community League Rocks, more familiarly and affectionately known as the Goats.

    James Parker’s side head into the 2016/17 season as proud homeowners, having previously called Sharjah Wanderers’ pitch – some 85 km away – home in recent years.

    The home team were held to nil against Conference side Knights, but the fact they were able to host their opponents at all was a leap forward for the club and hard-working chairman Mike Silvester.

    “We played on it and the pitch held up well,” said the Englishman.

    “We got beat but it wasn’t the point. It was just a case of us playing on there. Hopefully we can now get permission to put some cabins and containers up for changing rooms so we can get changed in air conditioned rooms instead of under gazebos.”

    Travelling north to take on the Goats this season will certainly be an experience for away teams.

    The unique experience will continue post-match too, where instead of showers, the sand can easily be removed by throwing yourself into the Arabian Gulf 200 metres from the pitch.

    “Everyone got the sand off them by jumping in the sea at the end of the game. There’s not many pitches where you could do that,” said Silvester.

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