What can we say about the recent weather? Essentially, it has suddenly turned cold again with some hard frosts. 

Historically, February can be difficult month to predict the weather. Often, we see winter sports matches being called off, with snow, heavy rainfall and frosty conditions causing the cancellations.

After reading Mark Hunts weather forecast last week, it seems we are still in for some unsettled / inclement weather in the coming days - which again makes it difficult for turf professionals to plan work programmes.

February can be the most challenging month for any grounds professional or volunteer, trying to get their facilities ready for play - or indeed ready for the new season in the case of bowling greens and cricket pitches.

There are a few organisations that offer valuable information on what we should be doing during the month of February. The GMA regularly post monthly diaries on specific sports, along with Brian Sandalls’ popular Turfcare Blog website that gives up to date information on what to do each month. Brian also posts specific blogs about many turf related issues.

In essence, jobs for golf, football and rugby in February centre around keeping playing surfaces playable and free from debris. Aerating when ground conditions allow and mowing when conditions allow. Undertaking the necessary pre and post-match activities and starting to plan your end of season renovations. 

As for bowls and cricket, it is a case of planning and getting your pre-season jobs underway. These will include, aeration, mowing, verti-cutting and feeding. You must also ensure your machinery has been serviced and ready for the start of the season.

Golf course managers will be planning their spring renovations and finishing any current golf course construction or repair projects. They will also be getting their mowers serviced and repaired ready for the new mowing season.  

Spraying

As an editor, I spend a fair amount of time keeping an eye out for news items and what’s occurring in our industry, tending to view a lot of websites and forum boards. Last week I saw a question on whether a grounds operator needed a spraying certificate for a pedestrian push boom sprayer to apply products on a bowling green. 

Reading many of the comments posted on the forum, there appeared to be conflicting answers about what spraying certificate he should have. 

To clarify this point, in the UK, to operate knapsack sprayers and small boom sprayers for applying pesticides, you need to obtain the appropriate PA (Pesticides Application) Certificates of Competence issued by City & Guilds (formerly NPTC).

The relevant certificates are:

PA1 – Foundation Module

• This is the mandatory basic theory module covering legislation, environmental safety, and best practices for handling pesticides.
• It must be completed before taking any other PA certificates.

PA6 – Handheld Applicators (Knapsack Sprayers)

• PA6A – Applying pesticides using a handheld sprayer (e.g., knapsack).
• PA6AW – Applying pesticides near water (if spraying near watercourses).

PA2 – Vehicle-Mounted Boom Sprayers (Including Small Booms)

• If using a boom sprayer (even a small one attached to an ATV or tractor), you need PA2A.
• If working near water, PA2F may be required.

Additional Considerations:

If applying pesticides commercially or as part of a business, these qualifications are legally required under UK pesticide regulations.

Also to clarify a "PA2F" qualification is a pesticide application training course specifically focused on the safe operation of "weed wiper" or "wick type" applicators, which are vehicle-mounted or trailed devices used to apply herbicides to crops by wiping them with a wick instead of direct spraying; essentially, it teaches individuals how to use weed wipers safely and effectively while adhering to pesticide regulations. 

PA2F is typically considered an add-on module to the broader "PA2" qualification, which covers the safe application of pesticides using mounted or trailed boom sprayers. 

There are a number of training providers who deliver these courses that are affiliated to Lantra and City & Guilds NPTC with Pro Green being one of larger companies offering pesticides courses.

It is important you get the appropriate qualifications to undertake these specific operations in controlling pests and applying products to public open spaces. 

Just after midnight on 5th February, a group of at least 13 offenders ram raided B&B Tractors' Tideswell Depot in Buxton.

In a statement posted to their Facebook page where they have shared CCTV footage of the incident, B&B say, "We’re sharing this to raise awareness among local farms and businesses and urge everyone to stay vigilant in securing your premises and machinery."

You can watch the footage here.

Derbyshire Rural Crime Team have said that a cloned Citroen Relay van was used in the attack, causing extensive structural damage to the building in an effort to gain entry. In a statement the team explained, "The van appeared to have gotten stuck in the doorway and having failed to free the van and gain access, the group fled the scene. They look to be carrying cans of fuel and it is thought that they were targeting quad bikes that would be driven from the scene to be rung and sold on, or used to enable crime elsewhere in the country."

B&B ask if anyone has any information that could assist the investigation, please contact Derbyshire Rural Crime Team using any of the methods below, quoting reference 25*70500. 

• Derbyshire Rural Crim Team Website
• RCT Facebook – send a private message to the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team Facebook page
• X (Twitter)  direct message contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call on 101
• You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website

Iseki UK & Ireland won the 'Excellent Business Growth Award' at the manufacturer's Awards Convention after more than doubling sales in the last seven years.

Presented by the president of the company, Mr Tomiyasu and general manager for international business, Kazuya Tani, the award recognised the outstanding work done by the entire UK & Ireland team, whose work has seen them gain the most growth and market share of any country in the world.

Managing director of Iseki UK & Ireland David Withers, who was joined by sales director Alan Prickett and commercial manager Graham Hooper, accepted the award at the ceremony hosted in Japan and was delighted to receive the recognition.

"It is a great honour to receive the 'Excellent Business Growth' award. It's a fantastic recognition of our entire team's hard work, dedication, and passion over the past seven years," David said.

"To have more than doubled our sales and achieved the highest growth and market share gain globally is a real testament to the strength of the Iseki brand in the UK and Ireland, as well as the commitment of our dealer network and customers.

"We're incredibly proud of this achievement, and we're excited to continue building on this momentum and bring even more success to Iseki in the years to come."

The Toro Company has announced that Richard Walne has been named managing director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for its International Business. 

In his new role, Richard will have leadership responsibility for the company’s equipment and water businesses in the region.

Richard’s career at The Toro Company spans 45 years, during which he has held various roles across the International Business. His journey with Toro began as a technical representative in Europe and from there he has had responsibilities around the world. He held senior marketing and product development roles in the United States. He then transitioned to the Asia Pacific, Australia and China (APAC) region, ultimately serving as managing director, APAC, a position he had held since 2000. 

Amy Dahl, vice president, International at The Toro Company said, “Richard's industry knowledge and impressive career at The Toro Company have been nothing short of exceptional. His contributions have significantly shaped our international business across the globe, and his dedication to our customers and teams is unparalleled. We are thrilled that Richard is moving into this role and are confident that he will help expand our market leadership and accelerate growth in this region moving forward.”

Richard will relocate to the United Kingdom over the next few months, marking a return to where he first began his career with The Toro Company

SPRING IS ON ITS WAY

BUZZY BTME

SHOW WEEK AGAIN

ROBOT WARS

WHAT WILL THE NEW YEAR BRING?

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50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT
Part one

57 YEARS & COUNTING!
My life in the industry

DEMONSTRATING AND APPLYING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
New series of articles for 2025

IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
Examples from across the year

VINTAGE PUSH MOWER USE
Enthusiast maintains lawn the old fashioned way

SUSTAINABLE AMENITY MANAGEMENT
Principles and practises

PLACING URBAN GREEN SPACES AT THE HEART OF INFRASTRUCTURE
Midlands Parks Forum's annual conference

RAISING THE VOICE
At the Amenity Forum's annual conference

SUSTAINABLE PARKS
Parks For London case study

WHY GRASSROOTS RUGBY IS IN DECLINE
A steady drop off in participation.

SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Focus on a major supplier of grass seed and related products to the amenity sector

ON TEST
STIHL BGA 300 cordless leaf backpack blower

ON TEST
EGO Multi-tool

PUT THEM ON THE TOOLS!
Time for an attitude change

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TRAINING SECTOR
Grasping the challenge of encouraging more sustainable practice

SUSTAINABILITY IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Lessons learnt and experiences

SKILL SETS NEED RECOGNITION
Turf professionals are underappreciated

GREATER RESPECT FOR GROUNDS STAFF MIGHT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
To the recruitment crisis

A COMPETITIVE SALARY
Why employers should advertise the salary when recruiting new staff

ON TEST
Makita XGT UV001G lawn scarifier

AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN MACHINERY SUPPLY
Focus on Kubota

MY PERSONAL GREENKEEPING PHILOSOPHY HAS NEVER CHANGED
I don't follow any set program

SUSTAINABILITY IN LANDSCAPING
A substantial element of amenity activity

IS IT TIME TO SAY NO TO 'NO MOW MAY'?
Any real benefits?

SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PARKS & PUBLIC GREEN SPACES
Meeting the challenge

THE PATH TO WIMBLEDON
For groundstaff member, Conrad Cavil

ON TEST
EGO LBP8000E backpack blower

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE LAWN CARE SECTOR
A key consideration

BEEKEEPING IN COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENTS
The current situation

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN THE AMENITY SUPPLY SECTOR
Optimising land use through integrated solutions

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE GOLF SECTOR
Focus on BIGGA

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
Bringing together key points

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR GOLF
R&A are supporting clubs

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF EVERY POUND OF BUDGET
A course manager's view

A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS
Who look after grassroots pitches

SUSTAINABILITY & THE UK ACTION PLAN
For weed, pest and disease management

CONCERN FOR PARKS FOLLOWING COUNCIL BANKRUPTCIES
What does the future hold?

TAKING A GLOBAL LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY
Is the rest of the world also driving towards sustainable practice?

RENOVATIONS, PLAY AND THANKS
On my mind this week

SUSTAINABILITY – IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING & EDUCATION
Set to play a crucial role going forward

TULIP TREE
Liriodendron tulipifera

LYDIA BROOM
Genista lydia

THE LAWN AND ITS VALUE
Changing attitudes

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

Over the course of the next twelve months, I will be delving into many of my memories, and excursions undertaken, to highlight the management and maintenance our unique sports turf and amenity and landscape sectors. 

You can read part one of my 50 years of football here.

Part Two

Steve Braddock, Arsenal 

During my time working in the industry there have been a number of specifically focused turf professionals who have taken the industry forward. Steve Braddock at Arsenal was one of the many pioneers who changed the way we go about maintaining football playing surfaces.

Greg Smith, Notts County, now at Nottingham University 

I’d also include in that category the likes of Roy Rigby at Manchester City, Keith Kent and Keith Porter who worked at Manchester United, along with their current HG Tony Sinclair.  Also important are Richard Norton, Bolton FC; Chris Hague, Steve Tingley, Karl Standley, Wembley HG; Steve Patrick, Blackburn FC; Greg Smith, Notts County FC; Jonathan Calderwood, Paris Saint-Germain; and Michael Finch, Coventry FC.

Roy Rigby and his staff at Manchester City 

Andy Croft, Stoke City, and David Roberts, Liverpool FC, are a couple of many who have set the standards for many of the current batch of leading lights in charge of national and club stadium pitches and training grounds.

 
John Ledwidge is another, now the head of grounds and landscapes at Manchester City Football Club. He recently took over from Roy Rigby and had previously overseen the transformation of Leicester City’s facilities, creating one of the best turf academies in the country. 

Whilst most attention was focussed on the development and maintenance of stadium pitches, it was the unseen work being done on a daily basis at the club’s training grounds that should be recognised. This relentless work goes on 365 days of the year and, with on average more than 15 pitches to maintain, it is often a huge undertaking.

Stoke City's training ground 

In recent years, particularly since the millennium, we have seen a huge investment at the training grounds, with many clubs ditching soil-based pitches and mirroring their stadium pitch constructions, meaning the players are training and playing on similar playing surfaces.   

Manchester City, Tottenham and Leicester City, now have exceptional training facilities with clubs boasting an array of pitch facilities both natural and artificial. John Ledwidge when at Leicester FC, undertook one of the most challenging jobs in overseeing the development of their new training ground at Seagrave, completed in 2020.

LCFC training ground 

Under construction since Spring 2019, the new LCFC training ground was a huge redevelopment project on a massive 185-acre site, formerly a golf course. The facilities include 21 playing surfaces – including 14 full-size pitches; 499-seater floodlit main pitch; private nine-hole golf course and  elite sports science and medical facilities including cryotherapy chambers, bespoke gymnasium and hydrotherapy facilities. It also includes the impressive Sports Turf Academy for the education and development of industry-leading grounds staff.

Having seen for myself this facility, it shows the investment clubs are prepared to commit to attract the best players and give them the most up-to-date training and welfare facilities.

Over the years I have met so many dedicated grounds practitioners who have all been a credit to this ever-evolving, challenging sports turf Industry. 
What I find remarkable is the ongoing support and comradeship that fellow turf professionals have for one another. 

Listed below are some of my fondest memories whilst traveling around the country. I have been fortunate to have attended some match day games, one of the first was at The Reebok Stadium home of Bolton Wanderers FC in 2008.

Me divoting the pitch 

Richard Norton was head groundsman and had been at the club some sixteen years and had invited me to be part of the match day team for an evening UEFA Cup match against Athletico Madrid.

I witnessed the thorough preparations that go into a match and helped out divoting the pitch at half and full time. A long 16-hour day for the match day team. 

Another enjoyable match day game was down at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, where I met up with Dan Duffy the HG for their final game of the season. I arrived on the Friday afternoon as Dan was a stickler for match preparations. 

Dan Duffy mowing the pitch late at night 

Dan's working hours are legendary at the club. The hours he does is staggering. Eighteen-hour days can be the norm when preparing and repairing the pitch for matches. So much so, that he has become quite nocturnal, often starting in the wee small hours of the morning.  

Which was the case during my visit. Dan’s match day prep includes mowing the pitch three ways, the first cut was completed by 6pm. After a quick bite to eat we made our way back to Dan's office for a bit of a guitar session and a few more beers. This was to be my room for the night, while Dan got his head down in another office. We eventually retired around midnight to get some much-needed rest, before our early start, set for 3.00am! 

I was awoken by Dan coming into the office and, within ten minutes, we were both out on the pitch. This was quite an eerie experience as the pitch was lit up by one set of floodlights to allow us to see what we were doing. 

Me mowing the Liberty Stadium at 3am  

Dan asked if I would be keen to help mow the pitch and, not wanting to let Dan down (but feeling rather rusty), I agreed to have a go. Dan set up the stripes and I followed. The first few runs were quite testing - the nap on the sward was quite fierce, tugging at the mower - it was a case of putting enough pressure on the mower to keep it straight.

I did offer to stop mowing if Dan thought I was below his standards, but he was happy to let me continue. I felt very proud to be mowing his pitch. It was certainly a first for me - not many people can say they have mown a football pitch at 3.00am in the morning!

We finished mowing around 5.30 and by then Dan’s staff were back to complete the final cut, finishing at about 10am, giving them a couple hours for final preparations for a 12.45 kick off.

Barry O'Brien HG at Burnley marking out 

My other two match day experiences were with Burnley and Manchester City. Both great days again, where I got to help and feel part of the team. 
It goes without saying the dedication and long hours these turf professionals put in is off the scale. I would personally like to mention that I think it is about time Premiership and Championship clubs started paying a decent wage to these dedicated staff members and treated them with the respect they deserve for the skills and work ethic they achieve in delivering these exceptional playing surfaces.

For far too many years we have been poorly paid for the exceptionally long unsociable hours of work that go into producing a playing surface that sees today’s professional footballers earning well over £200,000 a week in many cases. The likes of players at Manchester City, United, and Liverpool in fact, are being paid in excess of £300,000 a week!

To put that into context next to a groundsman earning £30,000 a year - a week’s salary for one Premiership player would be enough pay a turfie’s wages for ten years. Or if you counted the full total of the squad of 25 players being paid the same wage we are looking at a weekly wage of £7,500,000 and obscene amount of money be paid?

Many of our Premiership grounds staff, with the exception perhaps of the HG, will only be earning between £18,000-£ 28,000. I believe it is time that grounds professionals are treated with due respect and paid a fair and appropriate wage for the highly skilled role they undertake to provide these elite facilities. 

It is time football clubs finally recognised the professionalism of practicing groundsmen and women and the complexities involved in producing these top-class facilities. They should be setting a new wage scale for these highly-qualified professionals. 

I cannot finish this article without a mention of the hundreds, if not thousands, of practicing grounds practitioners and volunteers who work in the lower leagues and tiers of the football pyramid.

Again, their passion and dedication to the sport is amazing, often against all the odds when they will be restricted with the resources they have at hand. Effectively they find a way to deliver decent playing surfaces for the sport to enjoyed by the thousands of players who turn up every week to play our national sport.