New pitch for Toon’s return to Premier League

Now the season has drawn to a close, the Magpies' ground staff are working to get the playing surface in perfect condition for the next campaign.

First, they stripped the top layer off the turf and got to work planting new seeds and watering it again.

And in a matter of days, green shoots were poking through and the pitch was getting ready for its first cut.

The work comes after the groundstaff team took the Championship Pitch of the Year award, which was presented to them before United's last home game of the season.

Deputy groundsman Andrew Tully said: "This time of year is extremely important for us because we start work on relaying the pitch.

"Our process starts with shaving off the top 10mm of vegetation on the old pitch, keeping the base nice and level, re-seeding and watering.

"We put about 60 tonnes of new fibre elastic material on the pitch.

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