FOOTBALL


The way I look at it is there wasn’t much of a pitch


construction. There are things out there that you


Aerating the pitch


would never do if we were to rebuild the pitch now


weeks ago.”


Dale took advantage of the significant work done this year to help improve his dated irrigation system. “The system was installed when the pitch was built and comprised hydrant points and hosepipes. At a later date, but I’m not sure when, there was a ring main installed with valves and outfield Rainbird pop-ups fitted, but no sprinklers were installed in the middle of the pitch. This has meant that we have


had to pull hoses on to the middle of the pitch connected to hydrant points situated at the side of the pitch. When it comes to a matchday, it’s a nightmare. You have coaches asking you an hour before kick-off and at half time to get the water on, and we simply can’t do it. So, with all the work being done on the pitch, I saw the opportunity to approach the club and explain that this would be the ideal time to add pop-ups into the middle pitch because we are digging


trenches for drainage anyway. I was luckily permitted to add eight Rainbird pop-up sprinklers into the middle of the pitch. So, we can now do what the coaches are asking on match days, and it also gives me more control to water the pitch correctly. Dale talks me through his current regime. “I cut the pitch using an old Dennis G860 and a Triple mower, setting them up at the same height of 25mm, at least four times a week in the growing season. A lot of the


PC December/January 2020


63


“


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