WORTHY OF HARPING ON ABOUT
NOW this is the Greatest Show on Turf ! Non-League groundsmen have been honoured in the annual FA’s Groundsman of the Year Awards – with Step 5 Harpenden Town also receiving a £10,000 grant.
The dedicated work force were recognised at St George’s Park and will receive grants to help with vital maintenance and equipment costs.
To judge the Awards, The FA selects a panel of judges, profesDixon sional groundsmen, who look at aspects such as the quality of the pitch, skills and knowledge of the groundsman and resources available.
Aldershot Town’s Colin Wilson landed the National League prize, Peter Elves was recognised in the Isthmian League for Tonbridge Angels’ pitch, in the Southern League it was Weymouth duo Paul Valentine and Kevin Banks and Whitby Town’s Eric Wilson in the Northern Premier League.
At Steps 5&6, Andover Town’s Chris White was honoured, while the Step 7 and below category went to Wesley Matthews of Elstow Abbey.
Sponsors Budweiser awards its annual £100,000 grant to eight groundsmen across the UK as part of its ‘Club Futures’ initiative.
Former international Lee also made a surprise visit to Harpenden Town to award groundsman, and club chairman, Roman Motyczak £10,000 to invest into their ground and equipment.
Dixon said: “Without the groundsmen, players wouldn’t be able to train, play games or score a goal.”