Club pays tribute to former groundsman Brian Harwood

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Brian, who worked at the Goldstone Ground, passed away on Monday.

Bruce Talbot

2023-05-17T15:32:00Z

Brian worked for the Albion at the Goldstone Ground between 1986-97.

The club was saddened to hear that our former groundsman Brian Harwood has passed away at the age of 73.

Brian died earlier this week while preparing the pitch at the Sussex FA headquarters at Culver Road in Lancing, where he had worked for several years.

Brian worked for the club from 1986 and as well as helping to maintain the pitch at the Goldstone Ground he also doubled up as kit man before becoming stadium manager until 1997.

Although his first love was Manchester United, he was always interested in how Albion were doing and was a well-known figure in Sussex football. He was a former chairman of East Preston FC.

Albion’s head groundsman Steve Winterburn said, “I first got to know Brian when we used to train at Sussex University. If the pitches there got wet we would ring Brian, who would let us use Culver Road which was always in great condition whatever time of year it was.

“It’s a real shock to hear this news. Brian was a great guy and a very good groundsman, he loved looking after pitches. He knew a lot of people in football in Sussex and we’re all very sad to hear Brian has passed away.”

Brian Harwood working on the 4G pitch at Culver Road, Lancing.

Brian began working for the Sussex FA in 2005 when the county FA headquarters still had a grass pitch, which he lovingly prepared rain or shine. He then maintained the all-weather surface and served as a Sussex FA council member between 2006-12.

Ken Benham, chief executive of the Sussex FA, said, “You could always count on Brian to raise people’s spirits. Beneath that battled-hardened exterior there was a kind, warm and generous man who had time for everyone, and was a friend to many throughout the Sussex football community.

“He was one of the old school, but willing to embrace change, as he did when we transformed the surface here at Culver Road from grass to a 3G pitch. His passion and love for groundsmanship was steadfast, when our pitch was grass, he would spend untold hours across the off season, renovating and nurturing the surface to ensure that come August, season upon season, it was the envy of many across the county.”

Brian’s passion for sports turf was passed down to his son Ben, who maintains the pitch at the Broadfield Stadium in Crawley which is home to Albion’s women’s team.

Everyone at the club sends their condolences to Brian’s family at this time.