FOOTBALL
of 43 in the summer. Having said that winter, in many ways, is similar to the UK although drier with more blue sky. On the other hand, summer is very complicated with highs of 43 and lows of 30 and no rain for four months. Obviously, this has massive disease consquences and there is far less chemical availability compared to the UK. It is, without any doubt, a far more challenging environment to that I had in London. In addition to this, we also have major shade issues at certain times of year, and the diversity of our stadium business plan means it is one of the busiest venues in Europe.
What is the most difficult problem you have had to deal with at Real Madrid?
It’s hard to pinpoint any one factor. However, at the beginning, I had to overcome all of these issues: the language, weather, creating a department from scratch, bringing turf culture into the club, understanding the stadium, taking on board one of the biggest training facilities when my background was only one pitch in a stadium, water quality, new diseases, working with turfed pitches and developing a stadium business plan for the pitch ... these are just a few that spring to mind!
Do the TV pundits and press folk talk common sense? For example, some pitches come in for pre- and post-match criticism. Is that fair?
I believe it is, yes. We should try and educate them better, but I think we should be judged and
made accountable both in the good times and in the bad.
Is there anything you would have done differently, professionally and personally?
Good question! I don’t know really, all I can say is I did what I thought was right at the time and thankfully I have had more successes than failures. But, with hindsight, you could always maybe look at things a bit differently.
Do you have any regrets? None!
You have been praised for raising the standard of pitches in Spain. Have you been involved in training and educating Spanish groundsmen in the art of tending turf?
Yes, I have had a very positive impact here in Spain working with various clubs, Spanish Federation and La Liga, I think I also had a huge influence when I was in the UK; without doubt, grow lights improved every single pitch and, what once was acceptable, was no longer. Arsène Wenger kindly once said to me that I improved every Premier League pitch ... his words not mine, but I do get what he is saying.
You have always been considered something of an ambassador for the groundsmanship industry. Is it in a good place right now?
That’s difficult to say to be honest. I think engagement with government and federations is good, training is good however,
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