“I’m relying on a retired farmer for help - at least he can drive a tractor!”
stunt the growth of the existing sward and allow the new seeds through, and I don’t apply a pre-seed.” After a week, the covers were removed and, after two weeks, the pitch was ready for a light mow with a Hayter rotary. “Terralift TX10 organic fertiliser gives the turf body at this point and, at the end of June, I add Scotts Sierrablen slow release. Just before the season starts, Scotts Greenmaster goes on to improve the colour,” explains Paul. “I like to use a pedestrian sprayer to apply biostimulants rather than take a tractor on the pitch, and Floratine really gets into the plant. Sand based rootzones need a lot of feeding, and it’s a way of improving nutrition while getting the right balance between foliar feeding and granular applications.”
Equipment is one area where the club is well blessed. After success in Europe a few years back, the chief executive provided the cash to upgrade the fleet from an old Ransomes Mastiff and a spiker. “We have the machinery to do most maintenance and renovation work in- house, except when I’m short staffed like this year. The Rotoknife is one of the most valuable items of kit, as it does a great job of rolling, and the discs can be
used to keep the surface open. I also like my Hayter rotaries, as it is good to be able to use such a lightweight mower on the young grass. In July, we move onto the Dennis cylinder mowers and then the Toro cuts the pitch at the end of the season, although I’ll use it before the match as it allows me to get it mowed on my own.” Groundsman, Nigel MacRae, is a trained mechanic which, Paul says, is enormously helpful, as equipment can be maintained economically and in a timely fashion.
“Nigel even takes the mower blades to a local golf club to use their grinder and, if we have a breakdown, we don’t have to wait until a dealer can fit the machine in, he simply fetches the required part and fixes it. It’s ideal for a club on a tight budget!” After more than 100 years at Pittodrie,
Aberdeen FC is preparing to move on. A planning application for a new stadium at Loirston is to be submitted this summer, after a lengthy consultation process which was generally well received. The new Aberdeen Arena is likely to host concerts and rugby matches as well as being the club’s home, and will incorporate training facilities for the first time.
“It is very early days,” says Paul, “but I have visited a number of other clubs to study their facilities, right down to machinery storage - currently much of our equipment is kept outside. As it will be multi-purpose, the pitch will have to be constructed of Fibresand or a similar material. Rangers have Mansfield Fibrelastic which looks excellent.” Relocating the training pitches to a main stadium will also end one logistical nightmare. Currently machinery has to be transported through the main roads of Aberdeen to the training grounds. “It is an exciting prospect - the current stadium is getting old, so it is definitely the right thing to do. It’s important to get the new pitch right from the start and make sure that it can cope with its multi-use role,” Paul comments. Whilst he admits to being envious of his well funded southern counterparts, Paul says that he is unlikely to be tempted by a job offer in a more temperate climate.
“It is a huge challenge to produce good pitches in these conditions, and the long hours can be tough. But, like most football groundsmen, I’m here because of my love of the club. As a big Aberdeen FC fan, it’s my ideal job.”
Picture this!
SPORTS PITCH PERFECTION
When it comes to winter sports nothing should be left to chance - that’s why we are confident that you and MM60 will create the perfect pitch.
60 GRASS SEED MIXTURE
For more details on MM60 and the other professional mixtures in our range, telephone for a copy of the new catalogue or visit our website.
Camp Road, Witham St. Hughs, Lincoln LN6 9TW Tel: 01522 861300
amenity@limagrain.co.uk www.limagrain.co.uk/mm
Limagrain UK Limited. Registered No.1305690 England. Registered Office. Rothwell, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.
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