5 Reasons Clubs Fail FA Ground Grading Inspection
Failing or being delayed at ground grading is costly, stressful and — in the worst case — can deny a club promotion it has earned on the pitch. Many of the most common failures are also the most avoidable, and a large share of them relate to the perimeter barrier. Here are the five fencing-related reasons clubs most often come unstuck at grading, and how to make sure yours is not one of them.
The five recurring fencing failures are: hi-vis plastic fencing at graded steps; the wrong setback distance; no infill where infill is required; incomplete perimeter coverage; and temporary fencing where a permanent barrier is required. Every one of them is avoidable with the right specification and a little planning ahead of the deadline.
1. Hi-Vis Plastic Fencing at Steps 1–4
The FA's criteria explicitly state that hi-vis orange or yellow plastic multi-purpose fencing is not acceptable as infill at the graded steps. Clubs that have used it as a cheap stopgap are routinely caught out. If this is on your ground at Steps 1–4, it must be replaced before inspection — there is no discretion here.
2. The Wrong Setback Distance
The barrier must sit at the correct distance from the edge of the playing surface — not the painted line. The minimum is 2,250mm at Step 1 (ideally 2,750mm) and 1,830mm at most other steps. Measuring from the touchline instead of the turf edge places the fence too close and fails the criterion. Our guide to measuring your pitch shows how to get this right.
3. No Infill Where Infill Is Required
At Steps 1–4 the barrier must prevent the ball passing through or under it. A single rail, or a post-and-rail barrier with open gaps, does not satisfy this. The fix is an infilled system — double mesh closes both the between-rail and under-rail gaps by design.
4. Incomplete Perimeter Coverage
The barrier must cover every side of the ground that is open to spectators. A fence that runs three sides and leaves the fourth open — perhaps where a clubhouse or hedge sits — does not comply if spectators can access that side. Plan for full coverage of all spectator-accessible boundaries.
Even a perfectly specified fence fails its purpose if it is not installed in time. Most steps require the work complete by 31 March for promotion eligibility. Facility work plus grant approval takes months — start in the autumn, not the spring.
5. Temporary Fencing at Steps 5 and Above
From Step 5 upwards the FA requires a permanent fixed barrier. Fencing that can be lifted out or removed without tools does not comply, however neat it looks. If your barrier is temporary or removable, it will need replacing with a permanent system.
How to Pass First Time
Specify correctly
Right system for your step
Use an infilled, permanent PVCu barrier appropriate to your grade. Check the grading criteria for your step before ordering.
Correct specificationMeasure correctly
Setback from the surface edge
Set the fence line at the right distance from the playing-surface edge on all spectator-accessible sides.
Accurate setbackPlan the timeline
Start early, fund early
Quote in autumn, fund over winter, install before the spring deadline. Leave margin for weather and approvals.
Beat the deadlineDon't Risk a Grading Failure
We supply FA-compliant Pro Pitch perimeter fencing specified correctly for your step, with the documentation your grading assessment and grant application require. Supply only or fully installed — free quote within 24 hours.
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