Scotts Gives Sky Blues a Spot-on-Total Solution
By Lucy Oshten
Specialist fertilizer and controls company Scotts has brought its technical expertise into play to ensure the pitch at Coventry City Football Club's new £113 million stadium had the best possible start - and continues to flourish with a long-term growing programme.
Grounds manager Michael Finch is convinced the fantastic-looking pitch at the new 32,500-seater home of the Sky Blues is in no small way due to the high standard of products and service provided by Scotts.
"Scotts has worked with us for about six years now," says Michael, "and we've built up a strong relationship. They have provided soil analysis, advice and products for the Highfield Road Stadium and the training ground at Ryton, and their Greenmaster and Sierrablen Fine fertilizers have given great results.
"We brought Scotts in to develop the new stadium pitch and used the same products here too, plus Greenmaster Blade. The new pitch looked superb from the very first match played.
"The technology of fertilizers is quite sophisticated these days, and Scotts is widely recognised as the number one supplier in the industry. They put a lot into research and development and really look after us. What we receive from them is a total solution, not just products, but a scientific approach and the best expert advice for the foreseeable future. It's a very cost-effective package too, and we receive excellent value for money."
Scotts' Nick Martin, who has worked with Coventry City for many years, comments: "It was very exciting to be involved in the new arena. Scotts Turf & Amenity technical product manager Simon Barnaby and I worked closely with pitch constructors SIS to get the best results as quickly as possible. SIS is a very professional company and we hope to be doing more projects together in the future.
"Using the correct fertilizers on the pitch is vital to maintain its appearance and playability," Nick adds. "This means in-depth soil analysis to enable us to select the most effective products. And we'll continue to monitor the site and make allowances for any changes in conditions through the seasons."
Scotts is also working with Coventry to develop five new academy pitches, which are owned by the Higgs Trust. "We like to maintain consistency in the way all our pitches look and play, from the main stadium to the training ground and academy pitches," Michael says. "This ensures the players have the same quality wherever they play at the club. Scotts has worked with us to develop the turf at all these sites and the result is a superb, uniform sward that has received the best possible nutrition."
Scotts Professional is based at Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, Ipswich IP8 4BZ. Telephone: 0871 220 5353, fax: 01473 830386, email: prof.sales@scotts.com website: www.scottsprofessional.co.uk
Photo caption: Coventry City FC grounds manager Michael Finch, (second left) with Scotts Nick Martin (centre). Also pictured (left to right) are the club grounds staff David Rees, Neil Matts, John Baker and John Ledwidge.
