Taunton Town appoint new head groundsman

Taunton Town Football Club have appointed Rob Hake as their new groundsman at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.

Hake has been part of the team assisting chairman and chief executive Kevin Sturmey, who is understandably delighted to have a permanent placement in the key role of ensuring a pristine playing surface for the Peacocks.

Sturmer told the club website: "It has been clear since Rob joined us in October 2021 that he is in a different league as his work rate, tenacity and problem solving are second to none.

"Being a Groundsperson is a thankless task as there are always people wanting to give advice with very little knowledge in general, while we are all constantly learning due to the effect of climate change, which is definitely with us and makes it a difficult job.

"When it's great, it's great, but when we have freak weather like we now seem to have every year, it makes it even harder. Rob just gets on with his job but, like me, he wants to continually improve our facilities on and off the pitch. It's not the easiest pitch to maintain as it's built on a tip and has had the wrong sand rolled into it prior to 2009 but the biggest issue now is trees and their roots, which will need to be removed over time.

"I have to concentrate on my Chief Executive and Chairman role to build the business, put a structure in place and grow the club. Now is the time for me to step aside and Rob to take over not just the Head Groundsman role but also a Maintenance Management role so Brian Pollard and I can run the business.

"There could be no better person to take on the Head Groundsman's role and I will stay part of Rob's team and help him in any way I can when time and weather allows me."

Hake added: "I see Taunton Town football pitch as a new challenge and am hoping I can improve further the pitch for the players. I really appreciate the positive comments I have received to date, thank you!"

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