The'new' pitch involves quite an operation.

Torquay United's head groundsman Scott Duff is keeping everything crossed for a good, warm growing summer.

For the Plainmoor pitch is being ripped up and reseeded next week.

It's another considerable investment, believed to be nearly £10,000, at a time when the club is also committed to paying for things like the 'Bristow's Bench' grandstand and a planned move to a new training HQ by next Christmas.

The 'new' pitch involves quite an operation.

It will start on Monday, when Devon Garden Machinery will move in with a machine that takes off the current surface, down to a depth of an inch.

Duff explained: "Around 250 tons will be removed from the pitch.

"Other machines will harrow the ground, taking off any undulations and imperfections, and creating a new seed-bed.

"Then twenty bags of rye grass will be seeded in four directions, to give the best coverage possible.

"The whole process should take three to four days.

"We're then looking at seven weeks from reseeding to the pitch being ready to play."

That should give enough time before United's first home pre-season friendly against the Combined Services on Friday, July 20 (7.30pm).

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/New-pitch-place-ahead-friendly/story-16171221-detail/story.html