renovations and any other unforeseen works. In an ideal world he likes to scarify, deep aerate, topdress and overseed. However, in 2008, the club made no funds available for end of season renovations leaving Jim somewhat concerned, especially when he knows that, like most clubs, a considerable amount of money is spent on players’ wages. Whilst he accepts that money will always be tight at clubs like the Batley Bulldogs he does find the whole scenario frustrating. With no money available, Jim’s only ‘renovation’ was an application of autumn fertiliser and continuation of his maintenance regimes. The playing season runs from February through to late August, with the pitch having to cope with two games a week plus training sessions. However, any end of season renovations cannot start until all the corporate games and schoolboy finals have been completed. During this period the pitch often has to cope with four fixtures a day, not what is required at the end of a busy season.
However, the pitch does recover well from this beating thanks, in the main, to Jim’s diligence. His worst period is the summer months when the grass is growing well. With no watering facilities at the ground he has to rely purely on rainfall to keep the pitch watered, something Yorkshire has not been short of in the past two summers. Even then, with the pitches free draining construction, it soon dries out and the grass can easily become stressed.
Jim, like many groundsmen, is proud of his pitch. The long hours he puts in ‘beyond the call of duty’ to maintain his hallowed turf is not untypical. He doesn’t want paying any more for his time. He would just like the appropriate funds to buy the essential materials and products to continue to improve the playing surface. There is no question that players like to perform on a quality playing surface, and that the condition of the pitch can dictate the performance of a team. Jim, like everyone else at the club, wants to see Batley Bulldogs succeed, and to improve their status in rugby league. But, it goes with out saying that, without a decent facility to train and play on, how can the club expect to attract new players? I am sure Jim will one day get his
just rewards. As ever it will be about priorities. At present the pitch comes lower in the pecking order. Maybe one day the club will provide the necessary funding to allow Jim the opportunity to produce a pitch the players and the club deserve.
And I have no doubt that Jim
will keep trying to convince the club to spend money on the pitch!
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