Saturday 19th January
Steve’s mess room (aptly named) seems to be the centre of activity. It is a small room, about 4 x 3 metres, with no windows situated between the pressroom, players tunnel and changing rooms. There are two chairs, a dartboard, a coffee making machine, a few beers and a kettle. Quite what the attraction is I don’t know, but the players are in and out like the proverbial fiddlers elbow, sharing banter with each other and the two groundstaff.
In the short time I was there I met up with a number of first team players, the club Chairman, Peter Toms, Neil Back, Rory Underwood and Dusty Hare - and all the time Steve and Tom were trying to make a cup of tea and grab a bite to eat.
08:30
Steve and Tom arrive at the ground. Their first job (after the obligatory cup of coffee) is to inspect the pitch and liaises with other groups operating in the stadium such as stewards and Sky personnel.
Overnight a fox had been on the pitch and dug up a small area of the surface. Steve carries out minor repairs before marking out.
Tom Hoeggar (left) and Steve Packwood
Steve has concerns about the number of logos, especially at this time of the year when grass growth is slow, or none existent; the large quantities of paint does nothing to help retain grass cover and, more often, contributes to a poor surface. Ideally, the pitch would be better off without them?
Steve keeps an eye on the weather. The forecast is awful with more heavy rain on its way and may arrive before kick off.
Corner flags are placed out.
Steve and Tom select ten match balls, checking they are pumped up to the correct pressure, and bag them up for the match. Steve has the honour of presenting the match ball to the home captain as the teams make their way onto the pitch.
11:00 09:00
Steve and Tom begin over marking the pitch. String lines are used for accuracy and the lines are painted using a transfer wheel line marker from Rigby Taylor. It takes about two hours to complete and includes spraying out any logos not required for this particular match. None are used for Heineken Cup matches, so this means covering a Guinness logo and that of the club’s sponsors, Bradstone Paving.
Tom paints the numbers on the 22 yard and halfway lines using aerosol paint.
Steve liases with the Sky TV crew and ensures that riggers can set up without trouble. He also ensures the flood lighting is programmed to come on at the right time.
Steve shows me around the ground, including hospitality and players areas.
14:30
Players from both sides start coming out on to the pitch, spending around 30 minutes warming up as a team, in groups of forwards and groups of backs. Steve and Tom are on hand to repair any resulting damage.
Welford road is an inspiring ground with a capacity of 17,000. Leicester remain one of the toughest teams to beat at home. The atmosphere at the ground is electric, the opposition will be under pressure right from kick off.
12:30
Players, former players and officials start to arrive at the ground and I grab the opportunity to chat with Rory Underwood, one of my heroes!
15:30
Kick off. Steve and Tom retire to the sanctuary of their mess room after grabbing some food and drink from the press room! They keep a keen eye on the TV screens to see how the pitch is performing.
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