May Football Diary 2004

Laurence Gale MScMay 04, 2004in Football

May Football Diary

By Laurence Gale

May is a busy time for most football facilities with the end of season renovation works either started or programmed to start in May. There may be a few exceptions when some clubs have to complete end of season fixtures and cup games late into May. The level of renovation and how it is achieved will vary greatly and will be dependant on a number of factors:

Type of facility, its construction and soil. composition.
Drainage capacity
Extent of wear and damage to the pitches
Budgets available
Equipment available
Skills and resources of the ground staff
Time available to complete the works and allowing for establishment
The use of specialised Contractor services.

Any major resurfacing or drainage works are usually programmed to coincide with end of season renovations works.

Most of the tasks detailed can be undertaken within a limited budget. Local conditions and circumstances will need to be taken into account. If any members are undertaking any specific work not detailed, please let us know by adding a comment in the section below the diary.

May tasks for Football
Task	Frequency	Reason
Aeration	When conditions allow	Hand or machine aeration to aid surface drainage, (varying depths of penetration to prevent the development of a soil pan).
Brushing / sweeping	Daily / weekly	To remove dew and remove surface debris. Using a brush or a SISIS quadraplay will restore levels and produce striping or banding aesthetics.
Disease	Daily / weekly	Keep and eye on fungal disease attack, and use approved fungicides to treat infected areas.
Divoting	Immediately after game	To repair scars and surface damage.
Drainage	Weekly	Inspect drainage outfalls, channels and ditches. Ensure that they are working.
End of season Renovation	As required	Goal posts are taken down, repaired, repainted, labelled and stored ready for next season. All bare areas are cultivated, levelled, top dressed and over seeded. Other works may include aeration works which need to coincide with applications of top dressing materials, fertilisers and seed. See article on spring renovation
Fertiliser programme	If grass shows signs of stress (weak growth, discoloured)	Fertiliser treatment and turf tonic can be continued in accordance with your annual programme. If you haven't got a fertiliser programme, have your soil tested; try an independent soil analysis company for an impartial set of results. Most grounds staff will be applying a spring / summer N P K fertiliser, perhaps something like a 9/ 7 / 7 will effectively get the grass moving during May then, towards the end of May, look to putting on a slow release fertiliser to see you through June / July. However the choice of materials and how well it works can be dependant on many factors, soil type, weather etc., with moisture and air temperature being the catalyst for growth.
Goal posts	Weekly	If still in use, inspect goal posts and sockets to check they are safe and secure.
Harrowing / raking	When conditions allow	Helps to restore levels and keep surfaces open.
Irrigation equipment	Weekly	Its important to irrigate uniformly and ensuring the right amount is applied. It's important to ensure that the water gets down deep into the root-zone to encourage deep rooting. Allowing areas to dry out can lead to problems of dry patch, a condition that prevents water infiltration into the soil, thus forming areas of non-uniform turf quality.
Litter / debris	Daily / Weekly	Inspect and remove debris from playing surface, litter, twigs and leaves.
Machinery (Repairs and maintenance)	Daily / Weekly	Inspect and clean machinery after use; service and repair damaged machinery.
Marking out	As required
Mowing	As required
Post match renovation	After matches	Replace divots Repair worn areas (goalmouths / linesman runs) Top dress to restore levels (localised)
Pre match inspections	As required	Inspecting pitch surface and line markings Checking post safety
Seed bare & worn areas	When conditions allow	Seeding of sparse or bare areas can be carried out, the rise in temperatures will help germination. Use germination sheets to aid this process but remove the sheets regularly to check for diseases. Remember that without good seed to soil contact the operation is useless. Ensure you use new seed as old material may not give you the required germination rates.
Soil tests	Ideally once or twice a year, or as required.	Soil sampling is an important part of groundmanship. The results will enable the manager to have a better understanding of the current status of his soil and turf. There are many tests that can be undertaken, but usually the main tests to consider are: Particle Size Distribution (PSD) this will give you accurate information on the soil type and it's particle make up, enabling you to match up with appropriate top dressing materials and ensuring you are able to maintain a consistent hydraulic conductivity (drainage rate) of your soil profile. Soil pH, it is important to keep the soil at a pH of 5.5-6.5, a suitable level for most grass plants. Organic matter content, it is important to keep a balanced level of organic matter content in the soil profile. Nutrient Levels. Keeping a balance of N P K nutrients within the soil profile is essential for healthy plant growth. Once you have this information you will be in a better position to plan your season's feeding and maintenance programmes.
Top dressing Sand / rootzone materials	As required	Localised spreading of top dressings to repair divots and scars of turf surface.

Article Tags:

Football