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Sacked groundsmen crowdsource help; course torched twice in week; awards deadline extended; Birkdale prepare
IN THIS ISSUE
'SACKED' HULL GROUNDSMEN CROWDSOURCING FOR LEGAL HELP
GOLF COURSE TORCHED TWICE IN FOUR DAYS
AWARDS DEADLINE EXTENDED
ROYAL BIRKDALE PREPARES FOR OPEN
HIGHSPEED'S LONGEST SERVING AGENT RETIRES
HUSQVARNA UNVEIL NEW PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
DEALER APPOINTMENT FOR VENTRAC IN SCOTLAND
REDESIGN FOR DR FIELD & BRUSH MOWER
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'SACKED' HULL GROUNDSMEN CROWDSOURCING FOR LEGAL HELP
Looking to take bosses to tribunal

Two KCOM groundsmen who claimed they were sacked over the state of the pitch have set up a crowdfunding page to take their bosses to an employment tribunal - already raising over £5000.

Darrell Cook and Mark Harrison say they were dismissed a month ago by the Stadium Management Company (SMC) for gross misconduct after claims the pitch, used by Hull City and Hull FC, had been deteriorating.


Darrell Cook (left) and Mark Harrison outside the KCOM Stadium pictured in the Hull Daily Mail

According to the Hull Daily Mail, Darell, 55, says he was also told he was being sacked for working as a kit man for Hull FC while Mark claims he was told another reason for his dismissal was down to ordering too much grass treatment product. The third allegation Mark has made relates to allowing casual workers to turn up and repair divots in return for a match ticket. They were also told not to return.

Both men insist they did nothing to warrant their dismissal and were not given any warnings beforehand. They say they are not looking for compensation, they just want their jobs back.

Now, they want to hire Gosschalks Solicitors to fight their case but say they are worried about the costs.

In a joint statement on their Crowd Jusctice page, the two men say, "With the support and backing of our friends, families and legal advisors we are determined to fight for justice.

"We don't want the inevitable attention this may bring but we had no other option if we were to fight for the jobs we love and to clear our names. This is not just for us but for our wives, parents and children. We're proud men who have always taken immense pride in our work.

"We wouldn't normally be able to afford a legal challenge like this against such formidable opposition. There is no access to legal aid and we didn’t earn big salaries so we hope the people at SMC understand why we had no choice but to take this route. We look forward to the day we can hold our heads high again and get back to work providing both Hull City and Hull FC with a playing surface both clubs and their fans can be proud of."

Darrell Cook went on to tell the Hull Daily Mail of his shock at being dismissed.

He said: "I was told we were being investigated over the deterioration of the pitch. But I couldn't understand this as it resembled a bowling green.

"They also said they were looking into the work I was undertaking with Hull FC as a kit man. But this was something I did in my own time and didn't affect my work.

"This is a job I have done for 27 years and there was no indication anything like this was coming.

"Both myself and Mark have worked for the SMC for 16 years. We have never been in any trouble or had any reprimand so this came out of the blue."

To read more about the case, to find out more about Darrell and Mark, and to lend support visit their Crowd Justice page.


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