FOOTBALL


due to the pandemic have not allowed it. Hopefully, we can resume this project when possible. It would help raise the temperature of the soil profile in winter. Undersoil heating, combined with the blankets and the lights, would be the final step in providing a quality surface all year round.


What is the usual weekly pitch activity?


The players will train on the stadium pitch every week for approximately two hours. On the week of a match, this will raise to three hours of training plus the game itself. Lately, it has been shrinking to two hours every week; a good trend which dramatically favours the pitch’s playing condition on match days.


Our medium-term objective would be to reduce training on the stadium pitch even further. Still, the decision is exclusively with the sports technicians, whose needs take priority over all of us working at the club. in June last summer, we were scheduled to host Alejandro Sanz in concert, but this was suspended like all mass events, due to the pandemic situation.


Pre-match maintenance planning


Our fertiliser programme consists of the regular monthly application of a granular feed. To help reach maximum performance to coincide with at least one or two matches, we will apply a mix of liquid fertiliser, biostimulants and colour promoters three to five days before a game.


The day before the match we will give a first cut using strings, with heavy Ransomes Mastiff, Allett and Dennis mowers. This is followed up with two further passes with the Dennis Pro34 to clean up the clippings, if there has been any training, and helps sharpen up the line between stripes. On the day of the match, we will cut shorter using the same machines. On the first pass we will engage the cylinders and cut the pitch and the second pass is purely for aesthetics. This will give us the correct requirements determined by the La Liga Television Broadcasting Regulations. Next, we mark the pitch once or twice depending on the need or type of paint we use. At the end of the match, our objective,


depending on the weather conditions, is to leave the field repaired and fully prepared for recovery that same day. This helps optimise the recovery time to the maximum ready for the next use. Post-match tasks include one pass with the Pro34 rotary mowers to pick up any debris, divoting and overseeding any areas that need it, also placement of the thermal blanket in the winter months. Finally, the next two days after the match, we spray products that help de-stress and repair the plant.


How many staff do you employ and do you rely on subcontractors for some of your work?


Real Valladolid C.F traditionally has its own maintenance team and we are seen to be an essential asset which we are proud of. The professional staff consists of seven groundsmen plus a server that performs the department’s management and coordination work. We maintain the stadium and the Sports City of the Annexes, reporting to the Corporate Area Directorate.


PC April/May 2021


49


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