search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
KEYNOTE INTERVIEW


Left: The “impossible to grow” natural turf pitch at FC Gabala in Azerbaijan. Right: Training has always played an important role in Dave’s career; here at a local school. Grounds Training was launched in 2006


invitation of Inturf - whilst the new Wembley Stadium was being built.


“The moveable pitch at the Millennium was a steep learning curve, especially as the previous grounds team had been dismissed, so I had no experience to call on. During my time there, we hosted three FA Cup finals, WRU Six Nations matches, concerts, speedway; all manner of events. It was never ending, but I absolutely loved the experience.”


Dave returned to Wolves as a consultant groundsman between 2005-11 whilst, in 2009, he was invited out to FC Gabala in Azerbaijan to discuss their poor natural turf pitches, which Turkish agronomists had always suggested would never be good in the country’s climate. Dave was convinced that, as the country was on the same latitude as Madrid, it would not be a problem, and so it proved. World class natural pitches are now more commonplace in the country and Dave is rightly proud of that legacy. He also undertook training and education for the local groundsmen on behalf of the Azerbaijan FA.


In recent years, Dave and the ALS


Contracts team have been


involved at Wigan Athletic, Oldham Athletic and Shrewsbury Town.


I have one final question - and


observation - for Dave: “Over the years, you have involved yourself in various ‘industry campaigns’. How do you reflect on those and do you think this is why you are sometimes considered the industry’s ‘Marmite’?”


“Knowledgeable people understood that here was a voice that challenged the establishment. Someone who had a public opinion on the concerns for the wider industry.”


“My run-ins with the IOG are well known but, over the years, it was always them that blocked any discussions and developments. It was me who asked them to get involved with the online business from the outset. It was me who asked them to get involved with our Lantra accredited training courses. It was me who suggested a coming together of BIGGA and the IOG for the sake of the industry. It was me who suggested the ‘One


Show’ at the NEC. And what have they done? Ploughed their own furrow for a line of finance as a commercial enterprise. I even suggested, back in 2001, that they should consider changing their name to the Grounds Managers Association and get rid of the ‘blazers’ and ‘old farts’. It was all completely rubbished, but look where we are now.”


“I’ve highlighted the illegal use of agricultural products in our industry, championed natural turf over artificial and railed against the commercialisation of various institutions. And I don’t regret any of it.”


“Pitchcare has come a long way without any support from any of the sports governing bodies - ever. Whilst it possibly would have been financially beneficial to be involved, it allowed me to take them to task if I felt they were stepping out of line - without the fear of losing any support that might have been offered.” “I’m not bothered if people like me or not, Pitchcare has helped more people in this industry, for free, than anything else, both here in the UK and abroad. There isn’t a bigger industry resource on the planet and I’m mighty proud of that, as I’m proud of everybody who has been part of it.”


Left to right: Dave Saltman and John Richards with Agrovista’s Duncan Brown and Chris Clayton


20 PC June/July 2020


I’m not bothered if people like me or not, Pitchcare has helped more people in this industry, for free, than anything else, both here in the UK and abroad





Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156