Not a match goes by where we don’t get tributes from visiting players and spectators
SAFE SURFACES FIELDGUARD SAFE
Soft, non slip honeycomb rubber mats
clay!” Brian continues, “Because of the quality of the pitch, we have been selected for representative games - the most recent being Guernsey v Northampton town; this brings both kudos and revenue for the club.” Additionally, because the pitch condition has improved markedly, much less remedial work is required at the end of the season, which reduces costs, including the fact that they no longer need to topdress with sand. Further recognition of the
equipment. This includes pitch repairs using our tractor and loader. We use a 70/30 mix of sandy soil and silica sand topdressing. This costs approximately £32 per tonne and we collect it from a local specialist supplier. We use 3-5 tonnes throughout the season in high wear areas for added protection of the turf from divots and boot markings.” Annual work includes
ground’s improvement came when Brian was awarded Groundsman of the Year in 2009 after being nominated by Northamptonshire FA and Hereward Teamware Management Committee (the League’s sponsors). The ongoing maintenance of the pitch is critical to its continuing high performance, and Derek continues the story, “ We cut to a height of 25-32mm - weekly during summer dry spells, which is increased to twice a week during the main growing seasons. During the winter months the pitch may be groomed and cut throughout, excluding wet periods and cold spells when no growing takes place.”
“Line marking is carried out with a 75mm wet line marker. During wet conditions we use a dry marker for the heavy wear areas. We have a Javelin 32mm x 50m irrigation system which is used throughout the propagation period and during dry spells. During this period we allow the grass to grow to 50mm and cut weekly to encourage strong grass growth.” Since embarking upon the pitch
improvement programme, contractors are brought in to use a 1.50m wide deep slit spiker and a SISIS quadraplane. Spiking takes place fortnightly from autumn through to spring and the quadraplane is used with rake and roller to ensure smooth true playing surface. “I would estimate this contract
work costs the club approximately £1600 per annum,” says Derek. “We use the Groundkeeper
exclusively on our main pitch, the two other training pitches are usually cut with gang mowers. I reckon that, on average, sixteen hours a week is taken in pitch repairing, cutting and maintenance of kit and
Earthquake decompaction, carried out by the specialist contractor. Deep slit seeding is undertaken immediately the pitch is closed for playing. “We adopt a strict regime of regular attention and investment, mixing volunteer work, using the club’s own equipment, along with regular and routine assistance by the contractor,” continues Derek. “They are also employed to carry out annual spraying for weeds, plus fertilising as required, paying particular attention to weather patterns.” “I estimate we spend between £2-4000 on pitch maintenance each year. We consider this an investment and, as a club playing semi-professional football, it is a balance on providing excellent facilities against payments to players.” “These costs do not include the
volunteer help - a team of four spending a minimum of forty hours a week - even more during pitch maintenance and irrigation in the close season. Fortunately, with the new equipment, this is becoming shorter year on year. The biggest benefit has been far less remedial work required, with even goalmouths and high wear areas, such as centre circle, still being in good condition at the end of the season. Quite remarkable considering we have around seventy games each season!” “The improvements to the
playing surface over the past four or five seasons have been remarkable,” concludes Derek. “The FA’s incentive to improve playing surfaces for the benefit of the game as a whole, has helped us to raise our standards. It has also seen our profile rise within the football authorities, and we have become the yardstick for what can be achieved by good planning along with good practice.”
•Grass protection •Muddy pathways •Slippery surfaces •Gravel containment •Soft grass driveways
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Fax: 01483 275341 Email:
info@fieldguard.com
www.fieldguard.com SEED SUPPLIERS
Tel: 01483 275182
ULTRA T1500 - TROMMEL SCREEN HIRE AND SALES
Produce high quality topsoil from recycled soil/green waste
Contact Synergy Products on 01380 828337
Dave on mobile: 07971 843802 Email:
sales@synergyproducts.co.uk www.synergyproducts.co.uk
Sportsground Mixtures
• Next day delivery • Technical advice
Tel: 01522 868714 Fax: 01522 868095
seeds@bshlincoln.co.uk
www.bshamenity.com
Blair Precision Engineering Ltd began
Scotland’s leading grass seed specialist
LANDSCAPING • SPORT • GOLF TURF SEED •WILD FLOWERS • FERTILISERS
Email:
sales@grogreen.net www.grogreen.net
TELEPHONE: 01968 661705 FAX: 01968 660087
TELEPHONE: 01968 661705 FAX: 01968 660087
WEST LINTON SCOTLAND EH46 7AZ
manufacturing tines in1987 after Carnoustie Golf Links approached the company looking for
custom shapes and sizes of tines to fit their aeration machines. More than 20 years later, Steelmaster Tines are used by greenkeepers and groundsman all over Europe.
Tel: +44 (0)1241 853639
www.steelmaster.co.uk E:
sales@steelmaster.co.uk
Order online at SPARE PARTS
design, manufacture and distribution of turf aeration solutions for the past 20 years
SURFACES
A2LA Accredited & USGA Approved physical soil testing laboratory for the analysis of construction materials for the sportsturf industry
Contact ETL on 01786 449195 email:
europeanturf@aol.com www.etl-ltd.com
SOIL SCREENERS
To advertise in this section contact Classifieds
Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email:
peter@pitchcare.com
SOIL ANALYSIS
Established 1998
Cricket Renovation Seed Mixes CR1 & CR2 WASP coated seed also available 24 hour delivery
Hurrells Specialist Seeds, Beverley Road Cranswick Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 9PF Tel: 01377 271400 Fax: 01377 271500 Email:
nick@hmseeds.com
www.hmseeds.com
Help us to help you! When responding to advertising please mention that you ‘saw it in Pitchcare’
Replacement Tines
Hollow, Solid and Cross - specialising in carbide tipped technology. Verticut and scarifier blades.
Brush sections OEM specification.
Accessories
Backlapping paste, linkage pins, PTOs, specialist grease and bedknives cold rolled for uniform hardness.
All major brands catered for and special requirements met.
VERTI-DRAIN WEIDENMANN JOHN DEERE RYAN
THATCHAWAY TORO GRADEN RANSOMES/JAC
Fast efficient service from our extensive stock.
0800 083 0216 Division of Campey Turf Care Systems Ltd 121
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