Winter Sports GR SSCUTTER Our anonymous head groundsman ‘resurfaces’ to consider what support he gets from the industry Thank God forMother Nature…


I’m back, or should I say I’ve resurfaced? You see, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with the ingress of water onto my pitch as, I’m sure, many of you were during the final flourish of 2013 and the first two months of this year


Talking of indiscretions, I read Dave Saltman’s foreword in the last issue and, initially, put that down as an ‘indiscretion’ but, the more I have thought about it, and the more of my colleagues I have talked to, I have come round to the opinion that he was perfectly within his rights to air his views about the IOG, especially if it might bring some unity, but I suspect his tone may make that unlikely.


I’ve previously written that I am no longer a fan of their exhibition – even though I attended last year in a failed attempt to find Campey Turf Care – so I won’t bore you with my views yet again, suffice to say that I won’t be swelling the attendance figures this year. Conversely, I found BTME to be vibrant – and I found Campeys!


Within the industry, there is a general consensus that Pitchcare and the IOG are at loggerheads. Certainly the IOG stalwarts are never shy themselves of criticising Pitchcare. Perhaps, if they were to make their feelings and reservations better known, we might have a clearer understanding and a path forward?


“ 56 l PC APRIL/MAY 2014


Within the industry, there is a general consensus that Pitchcare and the IOG are at loggerheads. Certainly the IOG stalwarts are never shy themselves of criticising Pitchcare


It has put additional strain on myself and my colleague as we’ve battled to get games on. Additional aeration has certainly helped but, as you know, it is a time-consuming process. The only blessing is that temperatures have been above average, so grass cover has remained better than we would normally have expected.


Whilst I like to see the team doing well (they currently are not!), I was secretly pleased that we did not have an extended cup run in either of the tournaments we were involved in – the FA Cup and Johnstone’s Paint trophy – which gave us a bit of grace. Additionally, during the worst of the weather in my part of the country, the club had two away fixtures, so I was able to give the pitch some much needed tlc!


So, as I write this article in mid-March and in glorious sunshine, the pitch is looking the best it ever has at this time of year. It’s amazing how Mother Nature always seems to compensate for her indiscretions.


I know some of the guys at the top venues take a dim view of this ongoing scenario but, let’s be frank, that is exactly Dave’s point; the elite get the spoils and see the ‘benefits’ of the IOG, whereas we at the lower levels get overlooked. Yes, they make ‘noises’, but it’s all bluff and thunder.


In the recent bad weather, was there any support or back up from the groundsman’s association? If there was, I certainly didn’t see any. There were times when I could have done with a shoulder to cry on.


Oh well; no doubt some of you will take an equally dim view of my ramblings but, remember, I am a lower level groundsman with my finger on the pulse and, at the moment, it’s very weak!


On a lighter note, thanks for the article on Exeter City in the last issue, which was a thoroughly enjoyable read and one that perfectly highlighted the problems faced by lower league groundstaff. Even though Head Groundsman Clive Pring has little budget to work with, that is considerably more than I have!


Keep the faith; and keep cutting the grass, after all that’s all you do.


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