Wembley appointment announced
As we went to press, we were notified of the appointment of one of the most high profile positions in the UK - the Head Grounds Manager of the new Wembley Stadium:- Wembley Stadium is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Welch as head grounds manager. Steve is currently head grounds manager at Nottingham Forest’s City ground. He was chosen from over 50 applicants and is due to start work at Wembley at the beginning of October this year. Steve will head up the grounds management team and will be ultimately responsible for keeping the Wembley Stadium turf in mint condition for the Stadium’s prestigious line-up of events including The FA Cup Final, home Senior England Internationals and the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final.
His expertise was formally recognised in 2002 when he was named Professional Football Club Groundsman of the Year. Steve has vast experience of preparing pitches for music events which will be an important part of the job when major concerts return to Wembley Stadium next year. Steve Welch said: “When I saw the job at Wembley advertised, I just knew I had to apply. Working at the national stadium is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am thrilled that I have been chosen to take on the prestigious role of ensuring that the new Wembley Stadium’s playing surface is as good, if not better than its famous predecessor. I can’t wait to get
started.” Peter Swordy, head of HR at
Wembley National Stadium Limited, said: “We received a high number of quality applications for this position, making the decision a difficult one. However, Steve’s excellent track record and breadth of experience in maintaining world class pitches together with his managerial skills clinched it and we were delighted when he accepted our offer.” The new Wembley will be the
most exciting stadium in the world and the playing surface will be its centre piece. The turf is currently being grown off-site and is being maintained to the highest standards before its transfer to north-west London at the start of next year. The new pitch will use the latest technology that has been tried and tested to produce a top quality playing surface for the new ‘Venue of Legends’.
Pitchcare would like to offer
Steve our sincere congratulations and wish him and his team every success.
BBC Springwatch Live
FOR a new series to be broadcast next year, the BBC Natural History Unit are looking for examples of community sports areas working for nature and wildlife. In particular they are looking for sports
grounds and arenas where wildlife is encouraged or is in abundance. It could be a training ground, a sports facility in a park or a main stadium. Do you know of a football club who put
bird boxes on their stadiums to encourage wildlife? Is there a rugby ground which is
regularly visited by foxes? Does someone keep a record of the wildlife living in and around the facility? We would love to hear of any examples
where a sports ground or its surroundings have been made wildlife or environmentally friendly. If you have any examples, and would be
interested in appearing in the series, please send some information on the facility and your details to
john@pitchcare.com.
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OBITUARY Ray Potter
RAY POTTER, Sales Manager for Lloyds (Letchworth) Ltd, died suddenly from a heart attack, whilst on holiday in the West Country with his family .
Ray was well known, and well liked, in the industry having worked alongside Managing Director Clive Nottingham for the past ten years.
Previously Ray had enjoyed a distinguished career as a professional footballer. He joined Beckenham Town as a youth player in 1951. He then joined the ground staff of Crystal Palace on leaving school at the age of 15. His performances for Palace juniors marked him as a player with a future. In 1959 Ray was transferred from Crystal Palace to First Division side West Bromwich Albion.
Ray went on to play over 220 First Division games for West Brom, against some of the greatest players of all time, while West Brom’s line up at the time included Don Howe, Bobby Robson, Jeff Astle and Ronnie Allen. Ray also played in the first ever League Cup Final which the ‘Baggies’ won 5-3 against West Ham.
Clive Nottingham said “ Ray had worked in the turfcare industry for many years. He had a lovely personality and was liked by everybody he came in
contact with. He will be a great loss. Not only was Ray a superb
colleague but a wonderful friend to all that worked with him. He will be sadly missed.”
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