I think most people might imagine that being a groundsman means I spend my days cutting grass and sweeping leaves. But the truth is, it’s a whole lot more than that.
As the Grounds Team we are not just grass cutters, but we all have different skill sets that enable us to keep the Foundation campus looking its best throughout the year and the sports pitches in good condition for everyone to enjoy their sport or recreation.
I’ve been in this profession for over 45 years, starting out as an apprentice gardener with Leicester City Council. I then became a sole trader in grounds maintenance, Head Groundsman at Leicester City Football Club and at Harlequins Rugby Football Club in Twickenham. I’ve worked on a private estate in Warwickshire and have held the role of Deputy Head Grounds Person at The University of Warwick. Most recently, I was appointed as Head Grounds Person at The Loughborough Schools Foundation, where I am now in my 14th year. I’ve worked on club pitches, estate gardens, school fields and I train others in grounds care competency. In those years I have gained a lot of experience, knowledge and skills.
I am proud to lead a team of eight who are all incredibly dedicated, love what they do, take pride in their work and put their heart into every inch of this place.
Paul, who is the Deputy Head Grounds Person, helps me to manage the team and the grounds. With over 30 years’ experience, he is the longest serving member of the team. He has a wealth of experience in cricket preparation and is great at repairing our machinery if they break down.
No two days are ever the same for us. Between the woodland management, pitch preparation, garden planting, and even clearing drains, there’s always something that needs attention. One moment we’re raking up leaves on the Walks or applying fertiliser on to the sports pitches, next we could be preparing the quad ready for an outdoor performance or event, then going on to renovate a cricket wicket.
We rely on real science and data to guide our work. Soil testing, applying the right analysis of fertilisers, seed selection, aeration and a weather station and forecasts all help us make decisions, especially when it comes to preparing pitches. We know exactly how much rain has fallen overnight and how that might affect the field by lunchtime.
Our work meets high standards, not just because we expect that of ourselves, but because our pitches host a wide range of events. From Leicester Tigers camps to area athletics finals, Loughborough University fixtures to school tournaments and local sports clubs, we aim to keep the grounds in top condition year-round.
First impressions matter, and so do the experiences pupils have outside the classroom, on the pitches, in the gardens, or simply walking across campus.
We are often told by Emyr and Perry, the Heads of Rugby and Football at the Foundation, as well as the pupils, that the pitches are the best they play on from around the county and that’s nice to hear.
Our biggest sense of enjoyment and pride is seeing the pupils playing their games, enjoying themselves and competing, whether it be in a PE lesson, training sessions, or playing in matches and tournaments.
So, whether it’s converting a builder’s compound into a High School sports field, preparing the sports pitches for games, or making sure the shrub beds and borders are looking colourful, we take pride in the detail. There’s something very rewarding about knowing that our efforts create a beautiful, functional space for others to enjoy. We have hosted area cricket finals, football tournaments, athletics events, and even provided facilities for schools and football clubs whose grounds were flooded or unusable.
And alongside all that, we try to respect the wildlife. At the Quorn ground we share the space with red kites, buzzards, herons, muntjac deer…. you name it. They’re part of the LSF landscape too.
When you’re out first thing in the morning, watching the sun rise over Quorn Playing Fields, or seeing herons glide across the rugby pitches, it’s easy to remember why we love what we do.
What the Groundsmen Team have to say
Dan says: “It’s about making everywhere look pretty, but there’s a lot of thinking and planning that goes into it.”
Joe says: “It’s the variety that keeps you going, you’re never stuck doing the same thing.”
Paul says: “I love being and working outdoors.”
Sam says: “I totally agree about the variety – that is the best aspect of the job.”
Adam says: “I enjoy working to the best of my ability and doing a good job.”
Andy says: “I enjoy the challenge of the changing seasons and working in all weathers.”
Keith says: “I’m grateful for the flexibility of the job which has enabled me to have some incredible experiences alongside working here,”
Keith is a very experienced former Head Groundsman and has worked in prestigious professional stadiums. He retired in 2019, but when covid hit I was short of staff at the time and asked him to come and help the Foundation for a couple of weeks. He has been a full-time member of the team since.
He also goes on his travels from time to time as he works for FIFA as a Venue Stadium Pitch Manager for their competitions worldwide, which have included The World Cup games for both the men and women in different age groups.
He has travelled to Qatar, Chile. Argentina, New Zealand, The Paris Olympics and recently the World Club Cup, where he was based in Texas, USA.
He brings a lot of experience and knowledge to the team and is well respected in the sports grounds industry – I consider him to be one of the top groundsmen.
We are a team, and I would not be able to do my job without them.
