Bob Stretton and John Askew
With AGCO, Massey Ferguson’s parent Company, now continuing its tenancy on the site the STRI was immediately commissioned to carry out a detailed report with recommendations on what improvements were required. This is being used as the blueprint for the development of the site. It will include new pipe and slit drainage to the football pitches and cricket outfield, converting the old rugby pitch and training area into a junior academy for football and cricket and, in addition, the building of a new clubhouse facility.
In the interim period, between the factory closure in 2003 and its demolition in 2006, John Askew, chairman of the cricket section, took on the challenge of keeping the sportsground open for cricket and football.
In 2006, and as part of the commitment to the future, Bob Stretton, a professional groundsman, was taken on to oversee the new development that was taking place and to bring in much needed expertise in grounds management. After a time on the Massey Ferguson
cab production line and a spell at Lucas Aerospace, Bob has spent the last twenty years in this industry and has completed his Sports Turf & Golf Course
Management degree at Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell. Bob previously worked for Stockingford AA Sports Club in Nuneaton, the Lucas Aerospace Sports & Social Club, North Warwickshire Golf Club and Coventry and North Warwickshire Cricket Club where he spent time as an ECB pitches adviser for the Warwickshire Cricket Board. He is, therefore, suitably qualified to resurrect the once prestigious Massey Ferguson sportsground.
Bob’s first task was to carry out a complete assessment of the ground to see what could be salvaged with regard to playing facilities, machinery and equipment. “When I arrived here” said Bob “the machinery had seen better days. There was a forty year old, 5 bladed, cylinder mower of unknown origin, two old tractors - an MF 135 and a MF 240, an old set of Ransomes triple trailed gangs ... and I also found a slitter and a chain harrow in the hedgerow! Not ideal.” “With the aid of some string and wire I was able to refurbish, of sorts, the chainharrow. The gangs got a £2500 overhaul and I was able to use them for a year but, eventually, realised that they were not what I required so the tractors and gangs, along with some other ‘bits
New homes now overlook the grounds
and pieces’, were sold on.” “The first task was to sort out some new machinery. Budgets and investment plans were prepared with the support of Awards For All, a lottery fund for local community projects, and the Heart of England Community Fund. AGCO provided some funds up front and I was able to purchase a new MF 1540 tractor (which I dented in the first week!), a SISIS Maxislit and a Port Agric Cutlass. The latter was particularly important to get the overgrown amenity area down from 24” high to something more manageable. It is now used to maintain that area and also does a good job of cutting, whilst lightly rolling, the football pitches in winter.”
“Because of my local connections with other sports facilities I was able to sell off my unwanted machines and also source some good secondhand kit” said Bob. “I managed to find two Ransomes Super Certes, both with eight blade cylinders, and I have completely refurbished one for use on the cricket square. I also picked up a Bomag Tandem roller and a Ransomes Jacobsen 214 triple mower. For the moment I am using some of my own equipment to fill in the shortfall but will, over time, purchase second hand when the right pieces of equipment become available so that the club is fully
New equipment includes an MF 1540 and SISIS Maxislit
80
Certes and a Jacobsen 214 Triple
‘New’ used equipment includes these two Ransomes Super
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