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Post by lespne (Les Gallop) on May 31, 2015 7:38:44 GMT
Thanks for your kind words Peter, and thanks to the lads who turned up, they really made a difference. Rain has stopped work for me this morning, but should clear up for this afternoon, so I'll be there from11.30 :-)
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Post by Chris West on Jun 3, 2015 19:03:07 GMT
 not so much a pitch update more ground addition! New club shop/programme hut, kindly donated by West Recycling delivered this morning! thank you  |
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Post by petermcgee on Jun 26, 2015 18:09:15 GMT
Over the past few weeks, the pitch renovation has gone very well, with good growth due to the recent weather, the next application of fertiliser will be spread just before the next rain arrives !! it will not be next week, because we are due some very warm weather conditions !!
I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped down at the ground this week, everyone has put in a good shift to enable the Youth Tournament to take place this weekend over Sat/Sun, 40 teams will be competing, in seven a side games, with large crowds expected, and all the usual entertainment, should be a great success.
Marked out four seven a side pitches, so it will be non stop from 9am each day, I have asked Paul Nicolson and his team, to be aware of the pitch in it's present state, and the "NO GO AREAS" so I hope when I start again on Monday, everything will be ok !!
Only seven weeks to Evostik League kick off, still lot's to do, so any help would be appreciated.
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Post by Owd Skemmer ( Tony Brown) on Jul 4, 2015 9:57:59 GMT
A nice sprinkling of water overnight should do wonders for the grass
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Post by petermcgee on Jul 4, 2015 11:25:56 GMT
It certainly was Tony, more like a deluge, which after spreading the fertiliser on Thursday we had good, steady rain just as we finished, it was like turning the tap on !! timing was perfect !! should green up very quickly, just hope the surface is not cut up this Sunday due to the "o2 game" kick off 6.30pm, I believe.
Section of the pitch (one of the 7 a side area's) was badly cut up last weekend, but I managed to fill in the holes with some good top soil, and re-seeded, which has put me back three weeks, until the new seed has germinated ( just before our first PSF ) but that is what Groundsmen are up against, just get on with it !! I hope next year that the Tournaments are pre-booked now, for all the games to be played after the third week in July !! so as to enable the pitch to be ready and stable/playable, not in the middle of June, which has proved that damage will occur, do me a favour please !!
The maintenance work has gone very well this close Season, due to the hard work put in by all the volunteers who have turned up for their football club, due credit should go to each and everyone of them, so I would personally like to thank all of you, without your dedication I would have struggled to achieve what has been done.
Only 20 days left until our first home PSF v. Glossop North End, many more jobs to complete, so help is still required, do not leave it to the usual volunteers, the more people that we have working down at the ground, will make the task a lot easier, don't be "bored" at home, "More hands make light work" is the old adage, let's see what happens.
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Post by petermcgee on Jul 13, 2015 10:34:57 GMT
What a very constructive weekend we have had down at the ground !! diggers here, diggers there, in fact diggers everywhere !! at last, the compound "eyesore" has been addressed with a huge effort put in by the volunteers, who put in a great shift, many thanks to everyone, especially "Digger Stan" who was in his element !! Chris said "I now know what to buy him for Christmas" !!
The Main Stand side wall, looks very good, thank you for your time Les, excellent job, assisted by Nick & Liam, who did all the heavy work !! well done lad's.
Spread the remaining fertiliser this morning, just before the rain arrived, pitch looking very good, will cut later in the week, I believe Paul Nicolson has a "digger" ( or can obtain one ) if so, please make contact asap, would be very helpful.
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Post by petermcgee on Jul 25, 2015 10:00:28 GMT
Pitch in great condition for today's PSF v. Glossop north end, the recent weather has been a great help, no need to water at all !!
I would like to thank Tommy and the players for their careful use of the pitch on Thursday night during their training session, no damage at all to the surface, well done lad's, I am just a bit concerned with regards to the Reserves friendly on Sunday v. Southport, a lot of heavy rain is forecast, which will cut up the all the recent good work over the past three month's, plus it is raining again on Monday and Tuesday, which will make it difficult to prepare for our next PSF on Tuesday v. Northwich 1874.
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Post by petermcgee on Jul 27, 2015 15:30:48 GMT
Unable to cut the pitch today due to the recent rain, just a few divot's to replace after Sunday's game, the surface stood up very well, but the grass is growing like mad !! the players will have to put up with it being long !! for Tuesday's home PSF v. 1874 Northwich ko 7.45, will lower the cut later in the week (if the weather is ok) for our next PSF v. AFC Fylde on Saturday ko 3.00.
We now have an increasing population of rabbit's, and you all know how fast they breed !! so if you know anyone who would like some rabbit pies (Mary perhaps ? could be a good seller ) would they like to come down and shoot them, or ferret them out ? also please ensure that the players / entrance gate onto the pitch is closed at all times, or I will have them everywhere !! that's all for now folk's.
Groundsman / Gamekeeper, Peter.
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Post by petermcgee on Aug 11, 2015 15:04:59 GMT
Pitch looking very good for tonight's PSF v. Airbus UK ko 7.45pm, lowered the cut height half an inch, as per Tommy's request, so the ball should move about a lot faster !! now awaiting a fertiliser plus weedkiller application just before we kick off our home fixture v. Workington on Tuesday August 18th 7.45pm.
Last night some idiot stole the "Kick Off 7.45pm" sign from the Fixture board attached to the Turnstiles ( replaced it today with the last one that I have spare ) if you find it anywhere around the Stadium please return, I just do not know why these people would have any use for this item !! more sign writing for your Groundsman !!
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Post by petermcgee on Aug 24, 2015 11:57:05 GMT
Heavy dew on the pitch this morning, wait until lunchtime for it to "burn off" then apply the weedkiller at last !! Gary (Mallinsons) will carry out this work, whilst I recover from a bad attack of Gastroenteritis, (spare undies to hand at all times) will try to return later in the week to apply the fertiliser, and do not forget to " KEEP OFF THE PITCH" while the weedkiller is working.
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Post by petermcgee on Sept 4, 2015 14:51:47 GMT
Weedkiller now taking effect very well, applied the 20.10.10. fertiliser this week, which in a few days should make a huge difference to the overall colour and sward of the playing surface, the weather has been perfect for all the work carried out this week, all set up for tomorrow's home fixture V. Matlock Town, ko 3.00pm.
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Post by petermcgee on Sept 15, 2015 15:45:21 GMT
The weather has been perfect Mon/Tue, with the pitch preparation just completed for tonight's FA Cup replay V. Glossop North End ko 7.45pm.
The playing surface is looking good, with the recent applications now beginning to show through, it has been a long hard slog since May, but now, all the many hours put in by all the volunteers is there to see, thank you all for your efforts.
Let us all enjoy a great game of football, and progress through to the next round, see you later.
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Post by petermcgee on Sept 29, 2015 10:47:29 GMT
Once again the weather has been perfect for our preparation for tonight's home League fixture V. Darlington 1883, the pitch is in very good condition ( just to mark out today) to take on the current League leaders.
This is just the sort of game that a win would help the lad's to overcome all the recent problems, the present group of players do not become "bad overnight" I am sure that with our vocal support we will all feel a lot better at 9.30pm !! remember that we were the team that everyone wanted to beat last season, due to the time that we spent at the top of the Premier League, so now is our opportunity to beat the team presently at the top, good luck, go out and play like we all know you can.
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Post by petermcgee on Oct 9, 2015 15:37:27 GMT
Playing surface looking good after today's final marking out by Nick, pitch was cut up a bit on Wednesday night after the Reserves game, most of all the penalty spot !! after I believe 22 attempts !! managed to put all the divot's back in place, so we are ready for our home League Fixture V. Frickley Athletic, ko 3.00pm.
Another game on Sunday, Youth v. Altrincham, followed next Tuesday October 13th First Team v.Colwyn Bay ko 7.45pm, busy period for the Groundstaff !!
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Post by petermcgee on Oct 28, 2015 15:55:51 GMT
Final Autumn / Winter fertiliser applied for this year ( 5/20/20 ) low in nitrogen, high potash content, so we should be ok until March next year, if we can manage the colder than usual weather forecast which has been predicted.
This week I have prepared a very good surface for tonight's reserves fixture V. Workington Res. ko 8pm, please help me out by warming up off the pitch, within the touchline and pitch perimeter wall, also keep out of the penalty areas (both goals) DO NOT practise shooting in the goalmouth's pre-match, or at half time, this request is due to the wet conditions overnight, and today, a lot of damage can be done during these warm up sessions, more so than the actual game itself !!
During recent reserves / youth games, I have arrived at the Stadium the next day, to discover that damage has been caused to perimeter panels, the fire exit gate, for what reason, I do not know !! is it frustration from the visitors ? I am sure it is not our own players, because I know they would be severely reprimanded !! these repairs cost money, please watch out for these culprits, so the Reserves/ Youth managers can take action on the day, and deal with the matter.
All I am asking, is that you respect the work that is entailed to preparing the playing surface, I spend many hours down here at the ground for all our games, so a little bit of discipline would not go amiss.
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Post by Stu on Oct 29, 2015 12:04:54 GMT
I agree there is a lack of respect shown to the ground,car park clubhouse as a whole,it is demoralising entering the ground with a job in mind (of which there is a lot) only to spend your day sorting out another mess caused by someone else,i know A senior member of the reserves was at the club on Tuesday sorting out the damaged board but I would say he is sorting a problem that should have been reported on the day it happened and the other club asked for damages,all the teams involved WILL get idiots from other teams trying it on but reporting that player to the clubs officials should get these problems nipped in the bud.if any of the skem teams had gone to a ground and caused damage the opposition would be banging on about compensation for that damage and I would like to think they would except responsibility and fine the player involved.but what bothers me is the make do attitude that engulfs this club at the moment,or the groundsman/social club manager will sort it.
Two people expected to clean up after 240-60 people after a game,and get the club ready for the next one.
Both men do a great job and sacrifice many hours,as do those who give a lot of their time pre-season and into the campaign doing jobs like cleaning up after morons who don't put there s""t in the bins provided around the ground,or replacing damaged whatever they find broken after a busy week at the club.
The same people have to go through a process to get the equipment needed to repair any damages so reporting it early helps everyone involved.
P.s. We will win Saturday against Hyde
COYB
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Post by petermcgee on Nov 6, 2015 15:47:00 GMT
Managed to brush/roll the pitch this week, unable to cut due to all the recent rain, but surface is ok ( so far ) more rain expected overnight, right up to 4pm on Saturday, when the sun will appear, with a cloudy situation from then on !!
I strongly advise all players to wear studs, NOT BLADES !! it will become very heavy and cut up !! do not blame me if you are slipping and sliding all over the place, due to wearing blades !! I always have one game in the season that I dread, knowing what the surface will be like at the end of the match, and this is the game folk's !!
Also just a note to the committee, would you please inform me of any games (i.e.Sunday Cup) that you have organised without my knowledge, so I do not have to cancel important ground work that was planned for that particular date, I work on a day to day basis along with the weather conditions, so I have to fit in any work when I can, never assume that I know, I am most often the last person to be told !! (via e-mail from Fixture Sec Alan)
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Post by petermcgee on Nov 9, 2015 17:09:19 GMT
Just returned (4pm) from the ground, the club house end is playable, up to the halfway line, cross this line and the far end is saturated, with pools of surface water in all the usual places, with the goalmouth turning into a lake.
The reason why the club house end has drained well, is that a natural layer/seam of sand that runs across the pitch has always helped to remove any surface water, unfortunately we do not have that layer of sand, once you cross the halfway line, so we have all the water backing up on this side of the pitch.
The forecast for Tuesday is more rain overnight, into the morning, then clearing up for the rest of the day, with a warm wind and good temperature, it should dry up !! but the pitch has taken so much water over the past week, that the water table is at it's highest, therefore any more downpours have nowhere to go !!
So we will have to see by the hour what develops tomorrow for our home Doodson Cup game V. Northwich Vics ko 7.45pm and make a decision as late as possible.
The reserve game on Wednesday night also looks in doubt, we will see what the elements deliver over the next 24 hours ( can someone organise a Referee to be on standby please for a pitch inspection )
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Post by petermcgee on Nov 10, 2015 14:43:40 GMT
Finished at the ground, after forking, forking,forking, forking,forking,forking, forking,forking, just about forked at this moment, which came to a sudden end when my fork, forking well snapped !! I thought, well that is just about the forking limit, so I left for home in a right forking state.
The pitch is in very good condition after all the rain, I have arranged for a Verti Drain in the evening, either Wed/Thur/Fri all depends on the conditions, so that will help greatly with the games that are due this week, if the Reserves game could be postponed for a further date, that would be a big help.
From the Lone Forker (I do not know where all the other forkers were today) never mind, see you at the game tonight.
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Post by petermcgee on Nov 13, 2015 17:52:03 GMT
After the reserves game on Wednesday when the pitch was badly cut up, I cut/ rolled/divoted on Thursday whilst the weather was ok, then Verti Drained last night ( just as the downpour started ) which has made a huge difference with regards to the condition of the playing surface, yes it is soft, but no surface water anywhere all day today ( Friday ) so there should not be, when there are thousands of 1 inch wide x 12 inches deep holes, all over the pitch !! let's hope the weather forecast for this area is wrong !! we wait and see, I cannot do anymore.
Will be at the ground at 8.30am for the referee/inspection, which will decide, one way or another, it is a long way to travel from Lincoln, as we all know, so we will be in the hands of the elements once again.
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