Winter Sports
“Our philosophy is that the pitch, in its current condition, has served us just fine up to now, so why change things for one game?”
decompaction. This year, they have been using Lebanon Turf NX Pro fertiliser with great success, and are heading into the long winter period with probably the best coverage of grass they have ever had. “The Lebanon product has performed brilliantly for us this season,” says Mark. “We applied the 16:0:30 in July and again in September, and each application has given us steady growth, good colour and excellent all round recovery over at least a ten week period - the longevity being a key factor for us on a restricted budget.”
The point about restricted budget is a good one though, once again, Pilkington’s astute stewardship ensures the club seek out best value at all times. Whilst a ‘what’s in the shed’ list is
barely worth compiling, the club have committed cash for items such as an upgrade to the water supply. This enabled enough pressure to energise a large travelling sprinkler and, so, irrigate the pitch, when previously it would have simply lain dry.
The knock-on effect of improved
irrigation has been an enormous improvement in the success rate and quality of the close season renovations - as the light, sandy nature of the indigenous soil, combined with the hill- top position of the ground, has always meant that holding onto moisture has been a problem. “Hopefully, with the money generated
from this year’s cup run, we can sit down in a few days and look at how we might
improve the pitch further,” Mark says - deliberately within earshot of his Chairman, I notice! But, for now, the small matter of beating a team four levels above them was occupying everyone’s thoughts - and what a wonderful thought to hang onto!
Tuesday 22nd November 2011 – 7.15pm
Eight days on from my last visit, I’m back at Amblecote again. Ian and Mark have somehow managed to furnish me with a ticket for the big night (these things are like gold-dust) and, as I take up my position just off the half way line, the atmosphere is electric.
The temporary ESPN TV studio, located in the ‘cricket pitch corner’, contains no less than Ray Stubbs, John Barnes and Peter Reid, and the capacity crowd can sense something in the air - especially when the teams march off 0-0 at half time.
The second half sees the Glassboys outplay Plymouth in all departments - and the final score of 2-0 to the home side is a thoroughly deserved reflection on a fabulous performance. With the second round draw already made - the winners rewarded with a home tie against League One Stevenage - it seems that the media madness is set to continue for at least another couple of weeks. As I drive home, listening to the BBC Radio WM reaction to the action, I wonder just how far Stourbridge can go in this competition, as they now stand just ninety minutes away from the third
Mark Wiley
round, the stage when the big boys join proceedings.
I smile, as I listen to Ian Pilkington being interviewed for the umpteenth time that week about “what it means to get this far” and “how much will the money help the club”. The fact is, what is being achieved means a huge amount to everyone involved. To see a group of people - that’s players, management, directors, supporters and club volunteers - deriving so much enjoyment from football reminds me what a positive effect the game can have on people and on a community. If you want to see ‘The Big Society’ in action, head to Stourbridge F.C - because, at the moment, it’s absolutely massive! To be continued ...
The main stand at Stourbridge 72 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
What’s in the shed? - this trusty old Ransomes, basically!
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