Winter Sports - Football
The Middlesbrough groundstaff “ 64 I PC APRIL/MAY 2016
There is no substantial evidence or proof of its effects, but it has to be a concern until the research is proven beyond doubt. Until then, I keep a watching brief and am aware of what the industry is saying
knows first thing is the right time to catch fellow early riser Mark Ellis, his immediate line manager. “If I have any problems, I know I can speak to Mark before 9.00am, when the business of the day really kicks in.” Renovation, the busiest period of Tony’s
year, is racing towards them as the season climaxes - time to call in agronomist Tim Colclough of sports surface consultants TGMS, which also provides agronomic support to Sunderland AFC, Chelsea FC and to Wembley National Stadium’s own advisors. Sports construction specialists CLS Sports
and Premier Pitches, the companies that have completed major pitch reconstruction work at Rockliffe Park and the stadium, will also come to the table to discuss Tony’s requirements and recommendations before he submits these to the board. “We implemented a plan three or four
years ago to really improve things at both the training grounds and the stadium - CLS have ameliorated the playing surfaces at Rockliffe Park from basic soil pitches to free-draining sand pitches, enhanced by the installation of in-pitch irrigation to create facilities that befit a top-flight club. We are up to a really good standard now.” Four 1st team pitches were brought up to
specification, plus two Academy match pitches for the 16-18-year olds, but as he confirms: “There is the potential and willingness to go up another notch.”
Pioneers of footballing provision, Boro had
slipped back as other clubs surged forward. “We were one of the first clubs to have a training ground,” says Tony, “then others jumped on board and we were left behind a little. We have a 50-hectare site running down to the River Tees that could be further developed.” The full-size outdoor synthetic pitch was
arguably the first 3G in the country when it was laid in 1998. A 60m by 40m indoor 3G pitch was installed at the same time. Although fully functioning, the pitches give
Tony a little cause for concern, given the recent media coverage over the health impact of the rubber crumb infill used in 3G surfaces, but the jury is still out, in his view. “There is no substantial evidence or proof
of its effects, but it has to be a concern until the research is proven beyond doubt. Until then, I keep a watching brief and am aware of what the industry is saying.” Considering its age, the condition of the
3G pitch is “remarkable” says Tony, bolstered by the yearly refurbishment it receives from revitalisation specialists Replay to impart a fresh lease of life. Middlesbrough FC is a Category One
Academy in the reorganised structure introduced in summer 2012 under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), the Premier League initiative that saw youth football undergo reportedly its most radical overhaul in a generation.
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