Since the start of the Covid outbreak the grounds maintenance team are one of a number of operational teams who have continued their day to day work, albeit with amended processes and work patterns.
This has ensured that the pitches and other areas of our stadium and training ground are maintained to the highest standards.
Today we focus on the training ground and spoke to deputy head grounds person Tom Bilton.
Tom joined the club in 2014 and is aware of the role he and the rest of the grounds team play in ensuring Graham Potter’s men, the Under-23s, Under-18s and the academy teams have the best facilities possible available to them.
“Day-to-day we provide them with pitches in a top condition that we hope gives them the best chance to prepare and win games,” said Tom.
“It’s a different approach to the team that work at the Amex because where they have more time between matches we have a quick turnaround at the training ground and it’s about getting pitches ready for the next day.
“At the training ground we have four pitches for the first team along with three full-size grass pitches and two 3G pitches for the academy plus a number of training grids. At the current time, three additional pitches are being built which will add to the facilities moving forwards.”
The team work under the guidance of Pitch and Grounds Manager Steve Winterburn with Tom, Steve and Nigel managing the day to day operations of the 15 strong team who are also supported by our Workshop Manager Adrian.
The team carry out day to day works on all pitches as well as preparing them for matches played on site by the academy teams up to the under-23s. In addition, the in-house team also carry out annual renovation works on the academy pitches.
Tom highlights the great job the team as a whole has done together over the last 12 months and the quality of pitches is a great reflection of their hard work, flexibility and commitment to their roles.