Winter Sports - Football “ W
hen Cambridge United went into administration nine years ago, Head Groundsman, Ian Darler, lost all his staff, apart from
his maintenance man. He is the only survivor of the original league club and has been with them a staggering thirty-six years. During that time, he reckons to have spent over £30,000 of his own money on equipment and supplies, just to keep the pitch in the condition he wants. Now, some may think that excessive but,
talking to Ian, you are immediately struck by how his soft Fenland accent appears not to betray an ounce of bitterness; more a resignation. Having spent 2005 to 2014 in the Football
Conference, the U’s returned to the Football League this season following a 2-1 play-off final win against Gateshead at Wembley. At the time of writing, they are comfortably mid table.
When a football club gets relegated, it seems the groundstaff are the first to lose staff or equipment, or both, and then questions are asked, some months later, as to why the surface is not as good as it used to be!
This season has seen them enjoy an FA Cup run that resulted in a fourth round home tie against Manchester United; possibly the best draw any cash strapped club could wish for. Of course, it would all end there, or so everyone thought, but the spirit that exists at Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium saw them hold out for a 0-0 draw and a replay at Old Trafford (which they lost 3-0). This generated even more cash for the club, some of which, Ian hopes, is destined for his pitch. As is often the way when top flight clubs slip up against lower league opposition, the home side’s pitch comes in for criticism, as was the case when Louis van Gaal claimed that “everything was against us”. Poor chap, he has more money than Ian could ever dream off. A donation of a week of Wayne Rooney’s wages would, no doubt, be most welcomed by Ian. He began his career at the Pye Sports Ground as an apprentice working under
Head Groundsman, Bill Scott. It had the reputation of being one of the best surfaces in Cambridgeshire at the time. Those of a certain age will remember the Kinks and the Small Faces records spinning around their Dansette on the Pye label. “Bill took me under his wing and gave me the opportunity that has served me well all my working life to date. He was simply outstanding and offered me so much support. He inspired me to always provide the best surface possible.” “The other person that directed me into
the trade was the Sisis representative, Robert Chesham, who gave me a lot of encouragement saying there are very few youngsters getting into the trade; stick with it.”
“I’d failed two football trials, so needed to
find a career and this was the next best thing. I knew I wanted to work outside.” After the completion of his apprenticeship, Ian joined Cambridge United in 1979,
PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 I 51
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