Toro is spot on for Spurs
TORO is Spot on for Spurs
Press Release
High-flying Tottenham FC has recently brought in Toro machinery for the first time, and is finding the kit versatile, easy to use and a solution to a number of problem turf areas.
Grounds manager Darren Baldwin, with his team of nine grounds staff, oversees not only the main pitch at White Hart Lane, but also pitches at the first team academy at Chigwell and the part-time academy at Enfield. He said: "We have leased a new Toro Reelmaster 3100-D Sidewinder for Chigwell, fitted with dethatching units, and it's perfect - spot on. Versatility is its main benefit; it's excellent on grass collection, and has extremely effective dethatching heads which are easy to set up at different heights, so we can groom or dethatch.
"We chose the Sidewinder because its shifting cutting units mean good weight distribution and reduced compaction. It's also good for cutting awkward areas like round perimeter fencing."
A new ProCore 648 pedestrian aerator is also performing superbly at White Hart Lane. "This piece of kit is unique," Darren adds. "It's vital we keep weight off the pitch and the ProCore is ideal because it's so lightweight, yet fast, easy to manoeuvre and simple to use. The fact that its wheels don't run over the holes is also a real plus. We use it once every two to three weeks and it's really opening up the turf, with no visual evidence it's been there at all."
The future looks exciting for the club. "Plans are in place to build a new state-of-the-art facility at Enfield to bring everything under one roof," explains Darren. "This is in line with our aim of cultivating continuity throughout the club, and also to enable the younger players to receive more effective mentoring."
According to Darren, the recent investment in Toro machinery is enabling him to bring the continuity he also seeks himself for both the main pitch and Chigwell site.
"We've had great support from local Toro dealer Grasshopper and we look forward to continuing our good relationship."
Toro commercial turf maintenance products are distributed throughout mainland UK by Lely (UK) Limited, St Neots, Cambridgeshire (tel: 01480 226800), and in all of Ireland by Lely Ireland Limited, Kilboggin, Nurney, Co. Kildare (tel: 00 353 (0)45 526170).
Picture caption: Grounds manager Darren Baldwin, centre, with from left, assistant Andrew Smith, Lely's Larry Pearman, Nigel Cornwall, of Toro dealer Grasshopper, and deputy grounds manager James Buttar.