Magazine - The FA Groundsman of the Year Awards

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By Laurence Gale MSc in Football on 18th Sep 2009 8:35

This year I was invited to attend the annual Football Association Groundsman of the Year Awards at Windsor Racecourse. A fitting ceremony to celebrate the hard work, dedication, resourcefulness and commitment of so many practising groundsmen representing clubs from the Premier League down to Step 7.

Mervyn Leggett from the FA's Pitches and Facilities committee was quick to pay tribute to groundsmen around the country, "The FA is very proud to host this, the eighth annual Groundsman of the Year awards, and we're delighted to see the standard of pitches and playing surfaces improving dramatically every season."

After lunch, former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland international, Mark Lawrenson, and Ray Stubbs, both current BBC Sport commentators, entertained the audience with a question and answer session about Mark's footballing career. He got some nods of approval and more than a few smiles when he said, "You knew you'd made it at a club if the groundsman invited you into his hut for a chat at training. You could read the paper and there was always a brew on the go as well, which was great on a frosty morning."

A 17-year playing career saw Lawrenson grace stadiums across the world, but the former Oxford United boss said that one playing surface always stood out for him: "Wembley was easily the best pitch in my days. Looking back on the old footage and you'll see me wading in mud at somewhere like the Baseball Ground, so Wembley really stood out, it was just immaculate."

"We didn't train at Anfield very often, so it was a real treat when we were allowed on there. Our training ground at Melwood was pretty good though and there was a pitch on there that was just brilliant. We nicknamed it Wembley because it was so smooth."

After the Q&A it was time to announce the winners, with Mark presenting a number of the trophies and certificates.

In my opinion, it is important to recognise the skills, knowledge and commitment required to produce decent playing surfaces, and the FA must be commended for their support of these awards.

I was particularly pleased to see Mick Conway, representing AFC Telford United, and one of my old work colleagues at Telford & Wrekin Council, receive the overall winner category for the Football Conference.

Winners in full:

In recognition of 50 years service to Groundsmanship Award
Brian Addison - Squires Gate FC

Groundsman of the Year (Overall)
Dan Duffy - Swansea City

Groundsman of the Year - Premier League and Football League
Paul Ashcroft - Arsenal
Dan Duffy - Swansea City
Joe Aylett - MK Dons
Mike Phillips - Grimsby Town

Groundsman of the Year - Step 7 and below
Winner: Malcolm Gardner - British Airways FC
Second: Jack Prowse - Wendron Utd
Third: Stan Reed - Coxhoe Athletic
Highly Commended: Jim Fergusson, Peter Conroy, Colin Burchett

Groundsman of the Year - Step 5 and 6
Winner: Brian Foley - Cogenhoe Utd
Second: Shaun Pugh - Burnham Ramblers
Third: Steve Honey - Staines Lammas
Highly Commended: Dave Rhodes, Craig Nicholls, Graham O'Brien

Groundsman of the Year - Isthmian League
Winner: Richard Peters - Dover Athletic
Second: Graham Gould - Staines Town
Third: Daniel Hunter - Boreham Wood
High Commended: David Bidwell, Dave Blaszkowski

Groundsman of the Year - Northern Premier League
Winner: Elfed Morris - Colwyn Bay
Second: Philip Varney - Belper Town
Third: Mark Freeman - Loughborough Dynamo
Highly Commended: Graham Foxall, Stuart Turner

Groundsman of the Year - Southern League
Winner: Idris Elms - Leamington
Second: Rob Bullock - Chippenham Town
Third: Paul Willis - Truro City
Highly Commended: Michael Cox, Phil Williams

Groundsman of the Year - Step 3 and 4
Winner: Idris Elms - Leamington
Second: Elfed Morris - Colwyn Bay
Third: Philip Varney - Belper Town

Groundsman of the Year - Football Conference
Winner: Mick Conway - AFC Telford United
Second: Fleur Robinson - Burton Albion
Third: James Skachill - Hyde Utd
Highly Commended: Bob Mills

THE FA.com

Read more articles in Football, by Laurence Gale MSc or from September 2009.

There are 6 comments on this article

18 Sep 2009 by nut250

i was there what a great way to show that all the hard work is worthwhile ,

where can i get a copy of the pictures taken , would like one for myself to keep

19 Sep 2009 by fidget

We got a highly commended in step7 which is fantastic and we are really chuffed considering our pitches were 'typical council' 4 years ago.

My only criticism is that the award is to an individual and not to the team. Somehow my name appearred on the certificate (long story) and website but it should have been to the parish council. My two groundsmen Matthew Trickett & Barry Hansell do the bulk of the hard work, but without working as a team with my councillors & the clerks support we couldn't have achieved what we have.

It has caused a little bit of resentment and I've asked the FA to print a certificate in the PC's name, which thankfully they've said they will do. So I would like to take this opportunity to put the record straight & thank my hardworking team.

Thanks Matt, Barry & FOHHPC.

Colin

19 Sep 2009 by Groundsmaiden

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award and to those who won.

22 Sep 2009 by petermarkcraig

Fidget.
I commend your sentiment, but who gets the stick when things go wrong?
I tend to get all the praise when things go right here and always pin up every complimentary letter on the notice board as well as verbally thanking the team.
At the end of the day it would be impossible for a certificate to name every one involved in a team effort, so take the praise for a job well done.
I would be a little miffed if anyone was petty enough to resent your desreved pat on the back.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

22 Sep 2009 by Barry Pace

I agree with Peter,
Colin,you have appeared to be the driving force on your pitches progressive improvements, yes you have the PC and team behind you, so do all the other groundsman in the running have a good team and bosses behind, its what allows someone to get the opportunity of being in the running but it is you who has been the one who has asked the pertinant questions, who has seeked ways of improving, got prices, looked at machines and processes, actively pushed and stumbled along the way as you have sweated, cursed and had that proud feeling you cant explain to anyone else when its going well to get the pitches from the quagmire I recall seeing to quality playable surfaces.
Ask yourself what would the pitches be like if you didnt take the lead and then take the pat on the back, it is well deserved imho..
Barry

Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!

22 Sep 2009 by fidget

Hi Peter & Barry,

As with most things it is never that black & white. We are a small team of 3 each contributing, so we all need each other, so my personal view it should be a team award.

Colin

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