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regard to investing in machinery and products for the pitch. In fact the club has always been forward thinking. When I first arrived the pitch


was being cut with the McMurtry MAS (robotic) Mower. Contrary to what some might think it is a godsend, allowing me to get on with other jobs while the pitch is being mowed. In the summer months when the grass was growing quickly, the mower was cutting the grass during the day and night, so that I could do other jobs. This also meant that the grass was regularly being ‘tipped’, encouraging the plant to thicken up much quicker than I’ve noticed before. I am very pleased with this


technology, the mower is very efficient, and rarely breaks down. Really there have only been the odd times when the navigation lasers have been influenced by the weather, by that I mean a low autumn sun that has interfered with the guidance system. However when it does happen the mower has stopped its operation and then sent me a text asking me to reset the machine. Other than this it has saved me considerable time and allowed me to get on with other important operations such as spiking and divot repairs, overseeding and working on the new


school/training pitch. I feel that Groundsmen do not like it in the stadium and perhaps it would benefit on a training ground more, i.e. when players go home after their hard day’s work (at 1pm) the mower can roll or cut one pitch as you spike and mark out the next pitch. The battery life is about 6 hours maybe a bit longer, certainly enough to cut two or three pitches in an afternoon, saving those days that seem to turn into evenings during the growing season. In particular, I have been able


to spend time forking the high wear areas such as the goalmouths and these are showing significantly less wear for the time of year. I have lost grass in these areas, but they are still firm and, despite the rain, don’t hold water like they did at first. I have got the use of a Dennis 34 inch cassette mower that I use to groom, brush, roll and cut the pitch, when required, this is also a fantastic system, allowing multiple operations to be carried out.


In the relatively short time that I


have been at Forest Green Rovers I have already seen some benefits in root growth, which in turn has helped maintain the grass cover; grass cover is still at 70%, a good cover for this time of the year given the use the pitch has already had.


White Horse Contractors took over the contract for constructing the new pitch and they have tried to finish it before the recent poor weather set in. The surface has been seeded, but will probably require an overseed in the spring to establish a full cover before the club start their pre-s


training and games next July. season


The new pitch is basically a soil- based pitch that has a primary and secondary drainage system. This comprises a main drain and laterals at 12 metre centres and


14 New Pitch


TriCure The Better Wetter


A Proven solution for dry patch and hydrophobic soils


Water works better with TriCure, the advanced technology wetting agent with a proven track record. TriCure prevents and treats dry patch and hydrophobic conditions in all soil types, aiding even water penetration and the creation of a healthy rootzone to encourage root development.


Non-uniform water distribution


these have been topped at right angles with sand bands at 1m centres.


The drainage profile has then been covered with a 70/30 rootzone to a depth of 125mm and over sown with Rigby Taylor R14 seed mix.


will be ready for the forthcoming season 2006/7, and I am looking forward to being part of this new chapter in the history of Forest Green Rovers Football Club.


25 www.pitchcare.com/re I am confident that the pitch


The result... stronger,


Even distribution with TriCure


healthier, better looking turf.


1010 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridgeshire CB3 6DP Tel: 01223 597834


E-mail: info@headlandamenity.com www.headlandamenity.com


49


Stand C26 BTME


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