Mad month on the way

Steve Patrickin Football

IS THIS WHAT NOVEMBER IS MADE FOR ( I don't think so!!!)

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Hello again all you good readers of Pitchcare. It's been a while since I last wrote an article to let you know about life up here in the frozen north, namely Lancashire!

Not that I want to be regarded as a whinging sod from up North but the calendar in my office now tells me I have at least seven events on my pitch during the month of November, and depending on the team progressing to the 3rd round of the UEFA Cup, this could rise to 9 events should we be drawn at home for the 1st leg.

I wonder whether months like this were a factor in my best friend and fellow Groundsman Keith Kent leaving wet and windy Manchester to take up his new challenge at Twickenham.

Well dreaded November starts with a Premiership game at home to Aston Villa on the 3rd, closely followed by a home tie in the Worthington Cup on the 6th against Walsall. Then comes the first ever Rugby League match on Ewood when we welcome Great Britain to Ewood Park to take on New Zealand in the 1st test match of the series. Hopefully without the dreaded training sessions and the horrific logo's sprayed on my turf!!

Four days later we welcome the mighty Glasgow Celtic to test out the surface the night before we face them for real. The 14th sees the Battle of Britain! We then look forward to the latest Premiership young star, namely Wayne Rooney who plays his football for Everton FC, they arrive at Ewood on the 17th of the month.

If we are to progress past Celtic we may be drawn at home on the 28th which will give us the added delight of the customary training session the night before. A small drink may be the order of the night after the possible game as this is yours truly's birthday and who would begrudge any Groundsman a wee dram or two or three!!!

When Rovers entertain Fulham on the 30th it will see an end to a very busy schedule by anybody's standards.

Best of luck to all you fellow turf carers professional or otherwise. With special best wishes to Keith Kent in his new role, with his new nickname Twickers, given to him by Pete Marron of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

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