Middlesbrough's head groundsman wins top award

Rival fans will be right in thinking that the grass is always greener at Boro's Riverside Stadium - after its head groundsman received a top award.

Tony Bell and his team of groundsmen spend hours each week ensuring the pitch is kept in tip-top condition.

Now, due to their efforts, Tony has been named Groundsman of the Year in the npower Championship.

Tony, who has worked for the club for 15 years said: "It feels fantastic but I must say it's groundsmen of the year, not groundsman. It's been a team effort.

"It's great news for the club and it's a huge lift for the ground staff. We are striving to do the best job we can."

The 48-year-old from Tollesby works alongside Steven Johnson, Neil Rogers, Andrew Davies, Arthur Turner and Jerry Croll.

The team works five days a week, plus match days, looking after the Riverside pitch as well as the training pitches at Rockliffe Park.

They were announced winners - the first time Boro has won the award - following inspections by the Sports Turf Research Institute on behalf of the Football League.

Tony, who is married to Paula, 44, a teaching assistant said: "We've been in the top three in the past, but we've not quite got to the top. We've made the final hurdle this time.

"I don't think we've done anything different, so I think it's a measure of consistency more than anything."

Article sourced from Gazettelive.co.uk