Management of the new pitch surface became the responsibility of Head Groundsman, David Fellowes


Undersoil heating pipework installed in front of Putney End Stand


header/return pipes at the southern Putney end of the pitch. The below pitch pipe work could then be mole ploughed into the profile, running along its length at 250mm intervals and to a depth of around 250mm below the surface. Following connection of all the pipework beneath the pitch, pressure testing was undertaken to ensure that there were no leaks in the system. Any surface disturbance caused by the installation of the pitch heating pipes was then restored by trimming with a tractor mounted stone rake. At this point, the Fibrelastic


Restoring surface levels following installation of heating pipes


reinforced rootzone was introduced, supplied as a pre- prepared mixture containing polypropylene and polyurethane fibres, which was spread to a finished depth of 100mm over the entire pitch area using a Raycam drop spreader.


Once all the upper rootzone had been spread, the fibres were further uniformly distributed by cultivating with a power harrow, and the final finishing off was completed by making multiple passes with the stone rake attachment. Following final seedbed


Spreading the ‘Fibrelastic’ rootzone layer


preparations, final seeding of the pitch was achieved by 22nd May, just two weeks after the commencement of works.


Aftercare


Once the pitch contractor had cleared the site, management of the new pitch surface became the responsibility of Head


Groundsman, David Fellowes. One of his first tasks was to cover the pitch with germination sheeting to accelerate the initial grass establishment. With the combination of the sheeting and continued warm summer weather, there was a good initial take of the young grasses, despite the attentions of the local pigeon population and resident fox. During the remainder of the summer, regular mowing resumed on the pitch, initially using rotary mowers and, later on, the normal pedestrian cylinder machines.


Usage


Owing to the relatively short turnaround for the pitch redevelopment, the new surface was afforded the luxury of a twelve week establishment period before the first match, a friendly against German side Werder Bremen on 7th August.


The first home tie of the new 2010/2011 season was against Manchester United on 22nd August when Fulham managed to earn a 2-2 draw, and even Sir Alex Ferguson was complimentary about the quality of the new pitch surface. Since then, the pitch has continued to perform well and, with the provision of the undersoil heating and the benefits of the Fibrelastic reinforcement system, Craven Cottage now provides an excellent playing surface befitting Fulham’s Premier League status. www.stri.co.uk


David Fellowes applies the pre-s


seeding fertiliser


New surface eight weeks after seeding and ready for play


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