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www.mjabbott.co.uk
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Too many fixtures - the grass doesn’t stand a chance
Our editor visits Notts County to meet Head Groundsman, Greg Smith
I ARRIVED at Meadow Lane to find the Notts County Head Groundsman, Greg Smith, and his assistant, Trevor Hutchinson, just finishing putting the pitch back after yet another game. “Weve had six matches in twelve days,” bemoans Greg, “that’s included back to back rugby matches.”
Notts County have been ground sharing with Nottingham RUFC for a number of seasons now and the pressure this puts on the pitch is clear to see.
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erti Draining, Hollow Coring, Scarifying, Koro Field Topmaker, Topdressing, Overseeding, Sand Spreading
ports Fields and Golf Courses
“It has been a tough season,” says Greg. “Not only have we had to cope with a lot of fixtures, but the constant cold and wet weather has taken its toll on the pitch. Having said that, we still manage to produce a flat, level surface for play.”
Vertidraining, Hollow Coring, Overseeding, Draining, Gravel Banding, Field Top Maker, Deep Scarifying
Mobile: 07860 259692
Tel: 01284 735105 Email:
peter@buryturfcare.com www.buryturfcare.com
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146 PC APRIL/MAY 2013
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danvicturfcare@btconnect.com
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Philip Dixon Contractors Ltd Established 1978
Sportsturf Drainage Specialist Drainage Construction Renovation
“One of the biggest issues is the lack of repair time between matches and, what time we do get, is often affected by inclement weather. It really is just a case of spending time divoting, using the mowers to clean up and firming up the pitch.”
Greg tells me he has been trialing a new tractor drawn sarrel roller to keep the surface open. This has been loaned to him by Simon Hutton of Fineturf, his preferred contractor for end of season renovations.
“I’ve built up a good Slitting Banding Maintenance
Tel 01772 877289 (Preston, Lancs) Email:
info@dixondrainage.co.uk www.dixondrainage.co.uk
relationship with Simon over the years,” says Greg. “We’ve been using the sarrel roller to ensure the pitch remains open and surface water can drain away.”
“Like many lower level clubs, finances are tight and money spent on the pitch is kept to a minimum. However, we are
Greg Smith
always given enough to get the pitch cleaned off and renovated at the end of the season.”
Notts County are the world’s oldest football league club, having been formed in 1862. They were FA Cup winners twice in the 1890s, and even had a spell in the top flight in the 1990s, but their recent history has been chequered to say the least, with the threat of administration, and of Middle East ownership, being serious concerns or opportunities, depending on your viewpoint!
Greg joined the Magpies in 2000, at the same time as a new Fibresand pitch, primary drains (at 3m centres) and a pop-up irrigation system were being installed. Greg had previously spent fifteen years at the Boots the Chemists sportsground in the city, where he looked after cricket, bowls, tennis and winter sports pitches. He was, therefore, highly qualified for his new role. His assistant, Trevor Hutchinson, has been at Meadow Lane for twenty-five years.
“Having dual sports on the pitch is not ideal,” says Greg, “but, I understand the reasons behind the decision, as revenue is hugely important to the club.”
“Working to beat this winter’s snow, frost and rain has been our biggest challenge though, especially when faced with man handling heavy frost sheets on and off in between games. It’s
Football
Not such a ‘potty’ idea...
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