System Specification Summary

Before starting, confirm the following key specifications apply to your order. If in doubt, contact us before digging any holes.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Site Survey & Mark-Out

   Begin with a thorough site survey. Establish your fence line at a minimum of 2,250mm from the edge of the playing area on all four sides — touchline, goal line and the two ends. Even where the FA or RFU minimum is 1,830mm, we strongly recommend 2,250mm across all levels. This meets the FA Step 1 (Grade A) requirement outright and future-proofs the installation against promotion to a higher step.

   Use string lines and corner stakes to mark the full perimeter accurately. Once the perimeter line is established, mark each post position at 2,500mm centres along the string line. Check your total perimeter length against your order before proceeding — any discrepancy should be queried with us before digging begins.

   Mark gate positions at this stage. We recommend one 3m double gate and one 1.5m single gate on each accessible side as a minimum. Confirm gate positions before digging post holes as gate posts are doubled up and require a wider excavation.

2. Dig Post Holes

   Dig a hole at each marked post position to a depth of 650mm. The hole diameter should be wide enough to allow a full concrete surround on all sides of the post — typically 200–250mm diameter depending on ground conditions.

   An auger or mechanical post hole borer is strongly recommended for any installation of more than 20 posts. Manual digging on compacted, clay or stony ground is extremely labour-intensive and can result in inconsistent hole depths. Consistent hole depth is critical to achieving a level fence line — any variation will show in the finished installation.

   For gate post positions, dig the hole wide enough to accommodate two posts side by side with a full concrete surround. Gate posts are doubled up — two posts per hinge side and two posts per latch side — giving four gate posts per opening.

3. Set Posts in Concrete

   Place the post in the hole and check it is perfectly vertical on two axes using a plumb line or spirit level. Have an assistant hold the post or use temporary bracing whilst you pour concrete. This step requires two people minimum.

   Fill the hole with concrete, filling to a level of 150mm below ground level. Do not fill the concrete to the top of the hole. The remaining 150mm above the concrete is backfilled with soil once the concrete has cured — this gives a clean, natural finish at the base of each post with no exposed concrete visible above ground.

   Recheck vertical alignment whilst the concrete is still wet and adjust if necessary. Once satisfied, leave the post undisturbed. Allow a minimum of 24 hours curing time in normal conditions before fitting any rails or panels. In cold weather (<5°C), allow longer — concrete cures significantly slower at low temperatures.

   Repeat for all fence posts before moving on. For gate posts, set both posts for each gate opening together to ensure perfect alignment of hinges and latch.

4. Install Rails

   Once all posts are set and concrete is fully cured, fit the rails. Slide the rail ends into the mortise holes in each post — there are three mortise holes per post, one for each rail. Engage the rail to the minimum depth specified in your printed installation guide.

   At each post, leave a 10–12mm thermal expansion gap between the end of one rail and the start of the next. This gap is essential — without it, the rails will buckle in hot weather as the PVC expands. Use a 10mm spacer offcut to set the gap consistently.

   Work systematically around the full perimeter, fitting all rails before moving on to the mesh panels. Check the rail line is level as you go — any post that has moved during curing will be apparent at this stage.

5. Install Mesh Panels

   Mesh panels are supplied separately from the rail and post components. Each panel is designed to slot between the rails using the pre-drilled holes in the rails. The mesh top and bottom edges engage with the holes and clip securely into position — no additional fixings, screws or tools are required for this step.

   Work bay by bay. Fit one panel per bay, ensuring the mesh is fully seated in the pre-drilled holes along both the top and bottom rail. Check each panel is secure before moving to the next bay. The pre-drilled hole system is engineered for speed — an experienced team can fit mesh panels at a rate of approximately one bay every two to three minutes once rails are in place.

6. Fit Gates

   Gate posts are installed using the same concreting method as fence posts — 650mm deep, concrete to 150mm below ground, soil backfill above. As noted above, gate posts are doubled up — two posts set side by side at the hinge position and two posts at the latch position for each gate opening. This doubling provides the additional rigidity and load-bearing strength required to support the weight of the gate and withstand repeated opening and closing, including by vehicles.

   Once gate posts are fully cured, fit the gate panels. Hang hinges first, then fit the latch hardware. All gate hardware supplied is Grade 304 stainless steel — it will not rust or corrode even in exposed outdoor conditions. Fit the drop bolt to double gate installations to allow the gate to be secured in the open position during machinery access.

   Check that all gates open and close freely, latch cleanly, and that the drop bolt engages fully into the ground socket. Adjust hinge position if required before fully tightening all hardware.

7. Final Inspection & Sign-Off

   Once all rails, mesh panels and gates are fitted, walk the full perimeter for a final inspection before signing off the installation.

   Check the following at every bay: rails are correctly seated in mortise holes at both ends — the correct 10–12mm expansion gap is present at each post — mesh panels are fully seated in the pre-drilled holes with no lifting edges or loose sections — no posts have moved from vertical during installation.

   At each gate: gates open, close and latch correctly — hinges are tight — drop bolt engages into ground socket — gap between gate and post is consistent top and bottom.

   Finally, measure the setback from the playing area on all four sides and record the measurements. For clubs at FA Steps 1–4 or National Rugby League level, confirm the setback meets the minimum requirement for your grade before notifying the FA or league of completion. For Football Foundation grant-funded projects, retain the measurements for your completion report.

Tools Required

The following tools are required or recommended for a standard full-pitch installation. Quantities will depend on team size.

■ Red = Required    ■ Green = Recommended

How Long Does Installation Take?

Installation time depends heavily on team size, ground conditions, and whether you have mechanical equipment. As a rough guide for a standard 11-a-side pitch (approximately 350m perimeter, ~140 posts):

Need Help? We're Available Throughout Your Installation

Every supply-only order includes phone support from our team throughout your installation. If you encounter any issues — ground conditions, corner details, gate alignment — call us on 01282 526428 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) and we'll talk you through it. We'd rather spend 10 minutes on the phone than have an issue that affects your finished fence.