1 minute read
GaNTIP Update
Following a multi-partner approach that included input from the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme, Sutton Bonington FC’s pitch is back from the brink and the outlook for 2021 is much brighter
SUTTON BONINGTON Playing Fields is a fairly typical parish council site with limited budget and maintenance. And, as a result, by spring 2020 the pitch had a significant population of broadleaved weeds. However, a disastrous turn of events saw the surface mistakenly sprayed with a total herbicide, rather than a selective one, with the unfortunate result of killing the majority of the grass sward.
The club’s first attempt to address the situation involved applying to the Football Foundation’s Pitch Preparation Fund that was launched in response to Covid-19. Grant funding was awarded but little success was achieved in establishing new growth in the damaged areas.
Turning to Leicestershire and Rutland FA for help from The Football Association’s Grass Pitch Improvement Strategy (which has superseded the Pitch Improvement Programme), county FA support pitch advisor Mike Aplin conducted a site visit. He found that a significant renovation was needed and, in conjunction with GaNTIP, produced a basic schedule of works. A collaborative effort between the County FA and the Football Foundation led to a further grant award covering 75% of the project costs.
Leicester City FC’s newlylaunched Sports Turf Academy Technical Services team undertook the renovations. Prior to turf
Sutton Bonington FC’s pitch is recovering well, ready for the new season
stripping to 15mm deep, the pitch was sprayed to prevent the reemergence of weeds and weed grasses. Then a tractor-mounted scarifier cleaned any remaining debris and about 80 tonnes of spoil was removed. The pitch was then disc seeded in six directions using 20 bags of high quality, five-cultivar perennial ryegrass mixture, with 30 tonnes of compatible sand dressing being spread and a high-phosphate slow-release fertiliser applied to support establishment.
The work was completed on September 8 and, with the pitch subsequently establishing strongly, work continues by all interested parties to support the club in preparing the revamped playing surface ready for the new season. ■
Julien Morris GaNTIP regional pitch advisor, East Midlands
