From pitch to podium

Groundsman from all levels of the game were honoured by The Football Association at the annual Groundsman of the Year Awards.

The event, which was hosted at Windsor Racecourse and featured Mark Lawrenson as special guest, saw groundsman from the Premier League down to Step 7 football recognised at a celebration lunch.

Mervyn Leggett from The FA’s Pitches & Facilities committee was quick to pay tribute to groundsman around the country: “The FA is very proud to host this, the eighth annual Groundsman of the Year awards, and we’re delighted to see the standard of pitches and playing surfaces improving dramatically every season.

“We have a fantastic dedicated workforce looking after facilities across England, probably the finest in Europe.”

Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland international, Mark Lawrenson, said: “You knew you’d made it at a club if the groundsman invited you into his hut for a chat at training,” said the BBC football pundit.

“You could read the paper and there was always a brew on the go as well which was great on a frosty morning.”

A 17-year playing career saw Lawrenson grace stadiums across the world but the former Oxford United boss said that one playing surface always stood out for him: “Wembley was easily the best pitch back in the day. Look back on the old footage and you’ll see me wading in mud at somewhere like the Baseball Ground so Wembley really stood out, it was just immaculate.

“We didn’t train at Anfield very often so it was a real treat when we were allowed on there. Our training ground at Melwood was pretty good though and there was a pitch on there which was just brilliant. We nicknamed that Wembley because it was so smooth."

The awards ceremony saw Blackpool’s Brian Addison from Squire’s Gate FC honoured for 50 years in Groundsmanship: “I got involved because we probably had the worst pitch in the country back in 1960 but I’m pleased to say that it’s a lot better now,” said the 70-year-old.

“We’ve had a bit of funding over the years and a lot of dedicated people have helped improve the club both on and off the pitch.

“It’s great being out in the fresh air but I’m just trying to put something back into the community really. People did that for me when I was a player at the club so I’m looking to give something back as well.”

Winners in full:

In Recognition of 50 years service to Groundsmanship Award
Brian Addison – Squires Gate FC

Groundsman of the Year - Premier League and Football League
Paul Ashcroft - Arsenal
Dan Duffy - Swansea City
Joe Aylett - MK Dons
Mike Phillips - Grimsby Town

Groundsman of the Year - Step 7 and below
Winner: Malcolm Gardner - British Airways FC
Second: Jack Prowse - Wendron Utd
Third: Stan Reed - Coxhoe Athletic
Highly Commended: Jim Fergusson, Peter Conroy, Colin Burchett

Groundsman of the Year - Step 5 and 6
Winner: Brian Foley - Cogenhoe Utd
Second: Shaun Pugh - Burnham Ramblers
Third: Steve Honey - Staines Lammas
Highly Commended: Dave Rhodes, Craig Nicholls, Graham O’Brien

Groundsman of the Year - Isthmian League
Winner: Richard Peters - Dover Athletic
Second: Graham Gould - Staines Town
Third: Daniel Hunter - Boreham Wood
High Commended: David Bidwell, Dave Blaszkowski

Groundsman of the Year - Northern Premier League
Winner: Elfed Morris - Colwyn Bay
Second: Philip Varney - Belper Town
Third: Mark Freeman - Loughborough Dynamo
Highly Commended: Graham Foxall, Stuart Turner

Groundsman of the Year - Southern League
Winner: Idris Elms - Leamington
Second: Rob Bullock - Chippenham Town
Third: Paul Willis - Truro City
Highly Commended: Michael Cox, Phil Williams

Groundsman of the Year – Step 3 and 4
Winner: Idris Elms - Leamington
Second: Elfed Morris - Colwyn Bay
Third: Philip Varney - Belper Town

Groundsman of the Year – Football Conference
Winner: Mick Conway - AFC Telford United
Second: Fleur Robinson - Burton Albion
Third: James Skachill - Hyde Utd
Highly Commended: Bob Mills