“We have to help ourselves in this industry, if we don’t work together, we’ll be all the poorer for it”
were largely just functional and not so highly developed.” The new facility, due to be opened for the 2012 season, will feature a mix of sand based, Desso and Fibrelastic pitches for the first, reserve and academy teams. No fewer than twenty-three staff will work permanently on site, including a mechanic, irrigation engineer, secretary, head groundsman, and head gardener. A real green dimension permeates the
project, with a recycling plant, Waste2Water washpad facility, two 236,000 irrigation tanks fed by two newly drilled boreholes, as well as a conservation area and a large programme of new plantings aimed to create a grand ‘manor house’ style entrance.
An attenuation lake will hold water
ready for outflow at the rate designated by the Environment Agency, Darren explains.
Still only 37, Darren is relishing the challenge the new projects bring him,
adding that a job on this scale involves nothing less than a labour of love. “The workload does take
Work continues apace at the Bulls Cross training ground
its toll and you never stop worrying about it,” he admits. “We have to continually adapt and look to new ways to address issues.”
He still has time to take a keen interest
in groundsmanship at all levels of the game - he is a judge for the FA awards for best non-league groundsman - a role he says is always rewarding. “I find the story is the same in the non-leagues. Teams are often working on tight budgets, with limited machinery, but still producing high standards - this year particularly so,” Darren explains. “Also, I never fail to pick up a few tips on my travels; they really show how you can improvise with machinery, allowing one piece of kit to do a number of jobs. One of the best examples of this was a guy that had converted a cylinder mower to incorporate a brush at the front, which allowed him to get the maximum cutting height before mowing - a very clever use
of limited equipment.” Being involved in such projects highlights, for Darren, just how fortunate a position he and his team are in, and he’s passionate about aspects of the business that he feels need some serious changes, believing that the industry continues to be blighted by too many people who prefer to moan about their issues rather than do something about them.
“I help arrange twice yearly grounds managers’ meetings, with the aim of getting as many of us together to discuss our issues, share ideas and brainstorm different methods.
“In the past, I’ve had calls after the event from people with concerns who weren’t willing to turn up to these events. We have to help ourselves in this industry, if we don’t work together, we’ll be all the poorer for it.”
TWENTYQuestions
Darren Baldwin - looking for positivity, perfection, a new back and Kirsten Duntz!
What annoys you the most? Negativity in the industry.
What would you change about yourself? Lose 4 stone for starters! And a new lower back. Wear and tear of the job left me with two prolapsed discs requiring surgery. I now have two wire cages and 12 titanium screws holding me upright!
Who wouldn’t you like to be? Easy ... the Head Groundsman at Wembley!!!
Who are you? Darren Baldwin, Grounds Manager, Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Family status? Married to Kelly. Two girls, Katie 6 and Holly 4.
Who’s your hero and why? My boyhood hero was Spurs and Arsenal legend Pat Jennings. I always had aspirations, like most young lads, of being a professional footballer. Whilst I was never going to make the grade, Pat was truly world class.
What is your dream holiday? Gold Coast Australia, very lucky on this one as my brother lives there.
Favourite record, and why? The Lightning Seeds. Life Of Riley ( work it out !)
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? Er, the wife ... or Kirsten Dunst.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off the mortgages of my nearest and dearest.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? The drums. Big and loud.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? You may not achieve perfection but there’s nothing to stop you trying.
What's your favourite smell? Burning Castrol R oil. If you’ve ever been to Speedway you will know what I mean.
What do you do in your spare time? Watch Speedway, race my quad bikes or spend a day out with my girls.
What’s the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? What do you do in the summer?
What’s your favourite piece of kit? Used to be my Dennis Premier mower, now it’s the mobile phone and a laptop!
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Positive, honest and opinionated.
What talent would you like to have? Be able to predict the future!
What makes you angry? Bad drivers (and not the golf ones!).
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Length of prison sentences being enforced. - If a judge gives you 10 years then you should serve 10 years, not out in 5 years for good behaviour!
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