Weather showed up more clearly
Mud, frost, damp grass, dry dust and scuffed cinder were not hidden by today’s surface systems. A pitch or track could change dramatically from one season to another, and sometimes from one match to the next.
Surfaces carried repeated use
Worn goalmouths, heavier central areas and lane scuffs are evidence of sport being played. They make a venue feel lived-in. In a reconstruction, those marks are often more useful than adding extra architectural detail.
Modern venues are built for cleaner presentation
Today’s elite venues are maintained for television, sponsorship, safety and repeated events. Older grounds were often visually simpler and less standardised, which is exactly why they can feel more distinctive.
Imperfection is a dating cue
A believable old surface can be clear without being perfect. Soft line edges, grass tone variation, worn patches and plain crowd barriers help a scene feel grounded rather than generic.