Winter Sports
Lighting hours at Amsterdam Arena eight weeks.
The only disease problem encountered has been Leaf Spot, which is treated with a fungicides as soon as it appears. The club has invested close to one million pounds on equipment and the lighting rigs, with most of the machinery based at the training ground. “Machinery needs at the stadium are minimum,” says Jonathan. “The modern thinking is to keep heavy machinery off the pitch, and all the work is now done with pedestrian machinery. Obviously, we keep things like linemarking machines, pedestrian sprayers and spreaders at the ground, along with a Toro Procore aerator. The only time any large equipment goes on to the stadium pitch is during renovations.” “We use Honda pedestrian rear roller
rotaries to clean and mow the pitch, and only use the larger cylinder mowers for final presentation. We also use the cassettes for verticutting and brushing.” “Due to the large area of playing surfaces at the training ground, we use a mixture of pedestrian and triple mowers, along with tractor mounted equipment. Presentation remains important.” The availability of new scientific testing equipment is also coming to the aid of groundsmen, giving them the opportunity to record relevant statistical information about their pitches. “I use a Clegg Hammer, once a week, to measure the hardness of the pitches,” states Jonathan. “I take a number of repetitive readings to get an average measure of hardness. Anything over 90 gravities I feel is too hard. I like to keep it between 75-85 gravities. I control the hardness by the timing of aeration with the Procore. I also use a moisture probe to record soil moisture levels. Desso stability and firmness is determined by the
Lighting hours at Villa Park
moisture content. In the past, this was gauged by how it felt when being walked on, what it looked like and condition of the sward. Now, by taking a reading, I know exactly what moisture levels I am working with.” “Our pop-up irrigation system is invaluable. Being able to apply the correct amount of water accurately and quickly is a must when managing modern sand- based pitches. We apply about 5mm of water when needed to keep the pitch adequately watered. Like most clubs, we also water just prior to kick off.” The traction of the sward and ball bounce is measured at various times during the season. “All this measurement helps me to have a better understanding of how the pitch is performing and, along with rain and temperature gauges, and our weather station, have become an integral part of our armoury.” “I attend all of Villa’s away games, and try to make a point of meeting up with the groundsmen on the pitch. I find it very useful to see how my peers are operating but, equally important, I spend time catching up with the latest gossip!” When it comes to maintaining a
professional football pitch, the intensity and attention to detail has certainly changed in the last thirty years, whereas the passion, loyalty and commitment of the groundsmen hasn’t. Improved working conditions, state-of- the-art machinery, and new products and services have all contributed to help make Jonathan, and his fellow professionals at Premiership clubs, considered to be amongst the best groundsmen in the world. Their working practices put our industry firmly in the spotlight, week in week out.
All change ...
Much has changed in terms of pitch build quality, presentation, maintenance and machinery in professional football, especially at the top level.
Back in the eighties, when our editor, Laurence Gale MSc, was a mere strip of lad at Portsmouth, most pitches where soil based, and mowing was carried out only two or three times a week in the growing season. Fertiliser tended to be a bit of ground chalk, hoof and horn, and maybe some agricultural, high nitrogen 20:10:10 fertiliser.
Machinery was limited too. Laurence recalls that Pompey had two very old 36” cylinder mowers - a Ransomes and a Dennis - and an ageing Sisis Auto-slitter. The club didn’t even have a dedicated linemarking machine! Lines were painted with a four inch paint brush, until the club secretary was persuaded to invest in a transfer wheel line marker. “However, there were two of us to look after the pitch!” he states.
“Fertiliser was spread by hand, and the dew was taken off using a hose pipe. We spent two to three days putting the divots back, and getting water on was restricted to the pressure, and the fact we only had two Wizard self travelling sprinklers. End of season renovations were limited to a bit of aeration and oversowing worn areas. How times have changed.”
Toro ProCore in operation
Villa pitch on match day APRIL/MAY 2012 PC 69
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