Eddie Seaward on New Year Honours list

In the 2008 New Year's Honours list, Eddie Seaward, Head Groundsman at the All England Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon has been awarded an MBE for his service to sport. The MBE (MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) was one of a number of awards on Queen Elizabeth II's New Year Honours list published today (Saturday).

Eddie Seaward became an assistant Groundsman when he left school and progressed to the position of Head Groundsman at the age of 24. He joined the I.O.G as a member in 1961 and spent four years as the Honorary General Secretary and then three and a half years as the chairman of Education.

Eddie succeeded the late Jim Thorn at Wimbledon after spending eighteen months working alongside Jim, who showed Eddie how to handle the press, match officials and the overall management of the Venue.

While his job is high profile, he is extremely reliant on his highly trained and motivated Groundstaff. Following events it is always the Groundstaff collectively that receive the thanks for the quality of the courts.

From everyone at Pitchcare, congratulations on this magnificent achievement Eddie.