Groundsman of the Year Awards 2006 - A Hat-Trick for Bill & Surrey CCC

Groundsman of the Year Awards 2006 - A Hat-Trick for Bill & Surrey CCC

Press Release

At the end of February, the ECB held its annual pre-season meeting, technical seminar and awards dinner for First Class groundsmen. The two-day event was held at the Bedford Park Inn Hotel and Cranfield University's soil science campus at Silsoe, where the ECB Pitches Research Group's four year rolling and moisture trials are being staged.

The dinner was once again hosted by ECB Cricket Operations Manager Alan Fordham with former Kent and England captain Mike Denness presenting the awards and commendation certificates for achievements during the memorable 2005 playing season.

For the third successive year, Surrey's Head Groundsman at the Brit Oval, Bill Gordon retained the Groundsman of the Year trophy and made it a double achievement by winning the award for One-Day pitches as well which Bill, not wanting to hog all the limelight on the night, elected his assistant Lee Fortis to collect.

Bill Gordon awarded Groundsman of the year 2006

Lee Fortis receiving the One Day Pitch Award

Bill Clutterbuck receiving the Ransomes Crystal Award

A notable first was a commendation awarded to Kenny Nisbit, Head Groundman at The Grange, Edinburgh. Scottish Cricket representive Jim McFadyen accepted the certificate on his behalf.

The final presentation of the evening was the Ransomes Jacobsen Trophy for Achievements in Cricket Groundsmanship. ECB Pitches Consultant Chris Wood outlined the career background of the recipient before Bill Clutterbuck of Guildford CC and Surrey outground received the crystal award from Ransomes Jacobsen representative, Nigel Church.

Clutterbuck's 35 year career path took him to Guildford in 1996 via Bangor and Liverpool Colleges as both cricket pro, coach and groundsman, then up to Herriot School in Edinburgh. He won a previous commendation in 1997 and was runner-up in the Outgrounds category in 1999-2000.

So with that monumental last day of the Ashes series at The Oval still fresh in the memory, a clean sweep for Surrey on the night has set the standard for consistent quality pitches across the UK.

The Awards Listing in Full

Groundsman of the Year

Bill Gordon - (The Oval)

3 & 4 Day Pitches

Winner - Bill Gordon (The Oval)
Runner-up - Phil Frost (Taunton)
Commended - Mick Hunt (Lord's)
Commended - Stuart Kerrison (Chelmsford)
Commended - Peter Marron (Old Trafford)
Commended - Steve Birks (Trent Bridge)

1 Day Pitches

Winner - Bill Gordon (The Oval)
Runner-up - Phil Frost (Taunton)
Commended - Kenny Nisbet (The Grange, Edinburgh)
Commended - Len Smith (Sophia Gardens)
Commended - Mick Hunt (Lord's)

Outgrounds

Winner - Steve Martin (Southgate)
Runner-up - Micky Stewart (Scarborough)
Commended - Matt Pullen (Whitgift School)
Commended - Keith Exton (Oakham School)

University Centres of Cricketing Excellence

Winner - Richard Sula (Oxford)
Runner-up - Will Relf (Loughborough)