ex groundsman

[groundsman1981]

Hi all, would just like all fans concerned my position regarding the pitch. At the end of 2012\13 season no one at the club discussed renovations programs. I then found out, after a panicked phone call, that the pitch wasn't looking good. The club had asked a company to over seed pitch, liquid feed, and build up the goal mouths. As we all know, far too much was put in the goal mouths but with seed already down I had to work with what I got. I knew it was going to be a long season as far too many games are played on the pitch as well as training, especially using the goalmouth nearest changing rooms!!. The club brought a rotary sit down mower, which was better then nothing, but its only designed for large gardens. No other money is spent on pitch during the season. I have been doing the pitch for four seasons now and have tried to stop training on the pitch and limit the games. No pitch in the country could take the games the grove has and with little machinery and no investment during season, its never going to look good. I did my best and would often be there late at night out of season watering a whole pitch with a garden hose off mains water! The times I've been there pushing water off the pitch in the winter soaking wet, questioning why I'm here! No one at the club has officially told me that they would no longer like me to do pitch , but I have heard from certain fans that this is the case. I just feel after four years of looking after the pitch and working in all conditions for very little, its a shame that no one could of told me they no longer needed my services. I just don't get after getting promotion, why the club seem to be going backwards regarding the pitch maintainence. Its never going to be an easy task, and never going to look like a premier league pitch, but I always did my best and I'm fairly confident it would be looking better then it does now. All the best for the season, had some good times, and made some good friend/acquaintances.

[piearce9]

Hi Mr Groundsman,
Like many of the conversations on here at the moment, I'm struggling to understand completely all the references you're making as they seem to be aimed at those "in the know". But you've clearly worked hard for the club and for that I salute you.
My only question is- if you're not doing the pitch next season, who is?
Cheers

[groundsman1981]

Hi

I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular. There has been a few references regarding the goalmouths, and even a picture going around on facebook . I work at a premier league football club and I did not want my name being put around to the reason the goalmouths was like they were. Is there anything wrong with constructive criticism?" If the people in the know" want the club to move forward then surely there is nothing wrong with them sitting down and listening. If someone has a good point at my workplace or can think of a better way of doing something I acknowledge it, and see no shame in admitting that I was wrong. The pitch should be seen as an important asset to the club and should be one of the first places that money needs to be spent on. I have never had a budget, no money ever been spent during the season, and every pre season there has been a panic the last few weeks to get the pitch ready for play. Surely this needs looking at as it seems the same is happening this pre season? Its all about communication, if there is more of this done then a lot of what's happening now wouldn't. We certainly shouldn't be discouraging people to have there say on here, as long as it constructive. As to your question, I have no idea who Is doing the pitch, I have not heard from anyone.

[JohnC]

My understanding is HTFC is run by a committee and one of the members is a representative from the Yeltz Trust.

Who is on the committee and how often do they meet?

However, I assume as in most businesses and clubs not every single decision can go through a committee roles and authority are delegated.

Surely the committee should discuss the state of the pitch as this has to be top priority.

[watsisnerm]

My understanding is HTFC is run by a committee and one of the members is a representative from the Yeltz Trust.

Who is on the committee and how often do they meet?

However, I assume as in most businesses and clubs not every single decision can go through a committee roles and authority are delegated.

Surely the committee should discuss the state of the pitch as this has to be top priority.

as of the end of last season the committee was informed that the pitch was one of the things that would no longer be within the committees remit.

[watsisnerm]

My understanding is HTFC is run by a committee and one of the members is a representative from the Yeltz Trust.

Who is on the committee and how often do they meet?

However, I assume as in most businesses and clubs not every single decision can go through a committee roles and authority are delegated.

Surely the committee should discuss the state of the pitch as this has to be top priority.

as of the end of last season the committee was informed that the pitch was one of the things that would no longer be within the committees remit.

ps and as we are on this topic..one of the other non-committee items is the groundsman.

[Yeltz7]

I wonder if the people in charge could hold a forum some rumours in last few weeks and now a unhappy groundsman whos worked for the club for 4 years and nothing said to him....what a shame....i think a forum could clear a few things up....or maybe not