Off Season Renovations fight the clock

Off Season Renovations fight the clock

Renovations to Leeds United's Elland Road ground swung into action one week after the final game of the season.

Wigginton based Seward Turf Maintenance stripped the ground with their Koro Fieldtopmaker, prior to power harrowing, grading and drilling with Nickerson's Top Green grass seed.

"We last had this done three years ago," says Norman Southernwood, now in his seventh year as head groundsman. "Seward are here every year maintaining Elland Road and our eight training pitches at Thorpe Arch. Although you would expect to strip the surface every 3 to 5 years you have to keep an eye on it and you can tell how things are going. Although the pitch was looking good at the end of the season you have to think ahead to the worst possible conditions in winter and act now to pre- empt possible problems. Our warm wet winters are the ideal conditions for Poa Annua to thrive. The grass is shallow rooted and creates organic matter, which combined with the "fines" or fine particles of sand or silt which work their way upward, creates a sticky surface which is not conducive to good surface drainage. We're aiming to create a better balance by putting oxygen into the surface now."

"Time is of the essence," continues Southernwood. "Once the pitch has been stripped there's not a blade of grass on it and we're starting from scratch. The weather's been kind to us so far but we don't know what it will be like in the back end."

Seward Turf Maintenance completed the job and had the seed drilled in one week.

For further information on the services of Seward Turf Maintenance contact the company on Tel: 01904 765949