Altrincham FC’s Moss Lane playing surface has improved so much over recent years that, following a pre-season friendly, Manchester United reckoned it was one of the best surfaces they had played on.


The work was carried out with the assistance of former Old Trafford Head Groundsman, Keith Porter, agronomist David H Bates, a resolute board and a part-time groundsman. Pitchcare investigates how the transformation was made.


Keith Porter (left) with Neil Brown


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ltrincham Football Club play in the Blue Square Premier (the Conference) and have managed to maintain their status over the past few years thanks, in part, to the shortcomings of other teams, notably Canvey Island, who resigned from the league, Scarborough, who had their total points deducted due to a breach of ownership rules, Boston United who were denied promotion from the Conference North and Halifax Town who went into liquidation.


Whilst this almost charmed record of


survival has been to the club's benefit they are not resting on their laurels. Altrincham steadfastly stick to their policy of remaining part-time, and playing within a fixed budget. This has been rewarded as they continue to compete at national level, whilst remaining one of a just a handful of part-time clubs in the division. The current board have steered the club


away from near financial ruin five years ago through hard work and determination. The current manager is Graham Heathcote and, during his time, not a single player has cost a transfer fee. In addition, historic debts have been paid off and this, in turn, has meant that the club operates on a much lower budget than virtually all of its competitors. When Graham took over as manager in October 2002 he inherited a poor quality pitch at the Moss Lane Stadium, something that didn't suit the style of play he was intending to coach. Certainly the muddy conditions would not only produce a slow game, but also detract from the players and spectators enjoyment of the game. With Setanta Sports televising the Blue Square matches Graham recognised that a high quality pitch and good grounds maintenance was going to be critically important. To help achieve the standards he


wanted, Keith Porter, the former Head Groundsman at Manchester United, was approached, back in 2002, to advise on upgrading the pitch. Keith immediately recognised the need for drainage and soil amelioration. He believed it was essential that an adequate drainage system was installed on the heavy soil pitch. However, with the financial constraints at the time, he accepted that this might not be possible.


So, he investigated new techniques, along with improved natural products, to improve the soil structure and drainage without undue disruption to the existing turf until the end of the season.


Planning the renovation was to be a


key factor and, between them, Keith and Graham implemented a rolling programme of work that would take them up to 2009.


Once the 2002/03 season had finished, Keith removed the surface


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