St. Johnstone FC have suffered endless problems in recent seasons with their playing surface at McDiarmid Park. Two consecutive winters of severe frost and heavy snowfall eventually took it’s toll on the club’s pitch and last season saw the postponement of key SPL fixtures. The club applied to the SFP for funding to install a new drainage system. The Saints were awarded a grant towards the overall cost of the project and work was undertaken during the close season to have the pitch fully restored for their first home game of the season.