There has been a plenty of pitch maintenance taking place at Highbury since the end of last season under the experienced hands of Head Groundsman, Dale Frith.
By Sam Heaney
There has been a plenty of pitch maintenance taking place at Highbury since the end of last season under the experienced hands of Head Groundsman, Dale Frith.
It has been a lengthy procedure in order to make sure that the pitch can stay ever-impressive throughout Fleetwood Town’s first season in the Football League:
‘Following the end of last season, I weed-killed the old pitch off to make sure that it killed off any vegetation that was present to make sure the surface was ready for the new pitch. The top layer of the pitch was stripped off then we had a full new drainage system put into place. After that, 200 tonnes of sand was added to the surface before it was then cultivated and dozered to level everything out. It has now been reconsolidated and seeded! I’ve decided to change the grass seed too.’
The first pre-season game is rapidly approaching and the pitch has to be ready on time not only for the game to go ahead but it could affect future games.
‘I am very pleased with the current state of the pitch!', says Dale, 'Despite the difficult weather conditions it has come on really well. Just by looking at the colour of the grass I can tell it’s ready and the pitch is thickening out nicely.'
Dale manages to keep the playing surface at Highbury in tip-top condition throughout the season no matter what conditions he comes up against.
‘Ideally from the seeding point you want it to be wet, it’s even better when there is some warmth! Perhaps a little more sunshine would have been good but the rain has definitely helped! Now I just need to get the pitch marked out and then cut – it’s about getting a fine medium between the two.’
The Head Groundsman doesn’t just love his pitch but the football side too. Town start the season with two high profile back-to-back home games, against Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup and Torquay United in the n-power League 2.
‘I am very confident about next season considering the signings that the club have made and the way the club strides forward. I’m sure we will do well and attract more and more fans!’
