When so much mainstream sport is geared to the demands of broadcasting, what’s life like for grounds and stadia staff, whose priority is providing a perfect playing surface.
Frank Fielding finds out
TV TIMES P
erhaps the KC Stadium should be renamed ‘The Stadium of Light at the end of the Tunnel’ in honour of the miraculous transformation that Hull City FC have undergone in the last decade. From the dark days of receivership in 2001 to today’s Premiership status, the football club (along with the city’s rugby
achievements) is almost single-handedly driving the city’s renaissance towards a 21st century destination ‘Mecca’. Throughout the tumultuous times, the football club has enjoyed the loyal services of its die-hard groundstaff. Love’s labours have not been lost, it seems. Quite the opposite, as stadium and facilities manager, John Cooper, confirms.
“In the twenty years that I’ve been
here, I must have experienced every aspect of operations and been through every diverse situation you could imagine. I feel there is nothing that Hull City FC cannot handle now.” When you are confronted with the
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reality that, on 14 December 2002, the club’s ground is the ageing Boothferry Park and, on the next day, it is the brand new KC Stadium, is anything likely to unsettle you?
Certainly not the challenges of hosting the world’s media as Hull bask in their new-found Premiership glory, picking off opponents such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
“I have to say that the media’s comings and goings do not affect our day to day running in any way at all,” he states categorically. “In a sense, they are so far away from what we do, that it’s effectively two totally separate operations.” That might sound a tad overblown, but Cooper speaks from vast experience of the operational duties for Hull City, including a lengthy stint as its head groundsman. “I can see clearly the needs and requirements of both sides and that allows me to, hopefully, steer a smooth path for all concerned.”
Certain factors have to be “set in stone”, says Cooper. “Everything has to
be safe for players and officials, so that’s paramount. No cameras or other equipment is allowed within 2.75m of the playing surface for example. That gives everyone enough space and flexibility to avoid painful confrontations for players and cameramen. In fact, all cameras are sited behind perimeter advertising boards, “not only for protection but to provide a safe escape route.” “There can be plenty of movement of camera positions depending on weather and other conditions prevailing during the game, but the media are extremely technologically minded and want to work with you at all costs.” Thorough safety checks are routine for Cooper, who walks round the ground with the safety officer before a game or event (he puts on ten concerts a year on average, hosting the likes of Elton John and other megastars of entertainment) to check cabling and to ensure there are no potential hazards to play. Unlike older venues, the KC Stadium, which is owned by the city council, was
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