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Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

June 16, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations At Tottenham Hotspur F.C., pitch renovations are about far more than simply preparing surfaces for the new season. Under the guidance of Head of Playing Surfaces and Landscaping Nick Phillips, the club has developed a detailed, holistic approach focused on soil health, plant resilience and long-term performance; supported […]

Kress UK appoints David Timms

June 16, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Kress UK appoints David Timms Kress UK has announced the appointment of David Timms as Commercial Business Manager – South, further strengthening its commitment to supporting customers and driving growth across the golf and sports turf sectors. David joins Kress with more than 15 years of industry experience, having most recently spent five and a […]

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

June 16, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Kress UK appoints David Timms

June 16, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

June 16, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

At Tottenham Hotspur F.C., pitch renovations are about far more than simply preparing surfaces for the new season. Under the guidance of Head of Playing Surfaces and Landscaping Nick Phillips, the club has developed a detailed, holistic approach focused on soil health, plant resilience and long-term performance; supported by products from Agrovista Amenity.

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Having started at the club in 2004 as a 16-year-old apprentice, Nick has witnessed Tottenham Hotspur evolve from the old training ground at Chigwell into one of the world’s leading football facilities.

“The business has just grown massively,” said Nick. “When we moved from Chigwell to the new training centre, it almost felt like starting a new job for the same company. There has always been a drive to improve and develop every part of the site.”

That growth is reflected in the scale of the operation Nick now oversees. Across the stadium and training centre, he manages a department of 43 staff covering grounds, landscaping, irrigation, mechanics and horticulture.

Central to maintaining elite-level surfaces is the club’s renovation programme; something Nick believes is non-negotiable.

“Carrying out renovations every year is crucial,” he said. “Renovations are directly linked to surface performance, traction, firmness and the longevity of the pitch.”

Tottenham Hotspur took the decision around 15 years ago to bring renovations fully in-house, a move Nick believes has transformed the club’s flexibility and ownership of its surfaces.

“It gives you far greater control,” he explained. “You’re not dictated to by somebody else’s schedule. If weather conditions allow and you want to move quickly, you can. It also gives the team more ownership because you’re responsible for the whole process from start to finish.”

The renovation process itself is meticulous. After reducing mowing heights, the team removes the vegetation before repeated raking and cleaning operations expose the reinforcement fibres and remove accumulated organic matter.

Once the surface is cleaned, sand topdressing is applied at rates between 90 and 110 tonnes depending on the age and performance of the pitch, followed by aeration to connect the upper and lower profile. From there, the nutritional programme begins.

One of the key shifts Nick has implemented in recent years has been reducing reliance on fungicides and excessive nitrogen applications by focusing more heavily on soil biology and plant resilience.

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

“The industry is going that way,” he said. “Years ago, we probably all focused too much on the top growth. If the grass looked green, you thought it was healthy. But actually, if you create a healthy soil profile and healthy soil life, you reap the rewards in the plant itself.”

Working closely with Agrovista Amenity, Nick introduced a more balanced nutritional strategy built around supporting both the plant and the soil ecosystem.

“We shared the same vision,” he said. “It was about supporting soil health while still maintaining the plant quality and performance levels we expect.”

A major component of that programme is Agrovista Amenity’s Evolution Naturelle granular fertiliser range, used during the pre-seeding stage of renovations.

“We used to rely more on straight mineral fertilisers,” explained Nick. “Now we’ve adapted towards more of an organo-mineral approach. Evolution gives us nutrition for the plant, but it also supports soil biology through carbon and organic matter.”

Nick applies two forms of pre-seed fertiliser, one with a heavier organic focus to support microbial activity, followed by another with a stronger mineral element timed to coincide with germination.

“We want that fertiliser sitting exactly where it needs to be when the seed germinates,” he said. “We use a dimple seeder after application because it creates a micro-aeration effect and just works the fertiliser into that upper profile where the response is all connected.”

The result is stronger early rooting and more efficient establishment.

Once germination begins, the programme moves into liquid applications, with Agrovista Amenity’s exclusive L-CBF Turfgrass Enhancer playing a significant role.

“There’s a very small window after germination where you can really influence the plant,” said Nick. “L-CBF is high in carbohydrates, amino acids sugars and molasses, and it really stimulates early plant energy and growth.”

Applied before the first cut, L-CBF is designed to accelerate establishment during the critical early stages of development.

Alongside L-CBF, Nick also incorporates MicroGrow into the programme to enhance soil biology and rooting. MicroGrow is a specialised formulation with a blend of seaweed extracts and other naturally-derived compounds of marine and terrestrial origin. It is tailor made for root drench application to increase biological activity in sports turf soils.

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

“That’s one of the key products for us,” he explained. “MicroGrow goes in at those very early stages of germination when we can really influence soil biology and root development.”

The benefits are visible in the rooting performance across the surfaces.

“When we carry out root depth checks, you can clearly see the products working,” he said. “You get strong anchorage and early root mass, which is absolutely critical because pre-season is incredibly demanding on the pitches.”

With first team players often training twice daily during pre-season, rapid recovery and stability are essential.

“You might only have two pitches available initially, so those surfaces take a huge amount of stress,” Nick continued. “The deeper the roots, the more nutrition and water the plant can access, and the better the recovery and wear tolerance become.”

Nick believes the move towards more sustainable, biology-focused management is only going to accelerate throughout the industry.

“You’re never going to get those old chemicals back,” he said. “You either fight it or embrace it. We chose to get in front of it and start finding what works for us now.”

For Tottenham Hotspur, that means continuing to refine a holistic approach built around healthy soils, resilient plants and carefully targeted inputs.

“This isn’t about simply greening up pitches,” said Nick. “It’s about creating the best possible surfaces through every detail of the programme. That’s something we pride ourselves on every single day.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Kress UK appoints David Timms

June 16, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Kress UK appoints David Timms

Kress UK has announced the appointment of David Timms as Commercial Business Manager – South, further strengthening its commitment to supporting customers and driving growth across the golf and sports turf sectors.

Kress UK appoints David Timms

David joins Kress with more than 15 years of industry experience, having most recently spent five and a half years with Reesink Turfcare as National Accounts Manager. Prior to that, he worked for almost a decade with Textron, building extensive knowledge of the turfcare industry and developing strong relationships throughout the sector.

In his new role, David will be responsible for supporting and developing Kress’s dealer network across the south of the UK, while also working directly with customers through demonstrations, consultations and business development activities. His territory stretches from Cornwall to Kent and northwards into the Midlands and Mid Wales.

For David, the opportunity to join Kress was driven by both the nature of the role and the company’s position at the forefront of industry innovation.

“The role gives me the chance to be in front of customers more often, which is something I’ve really missed over the last few years,” said David. “But more importantly, I genuinely believe this is where the industry is heading. The acceptance of autonomous technology on golf courses and sports facilities is accelerating, and Kress is leading that movement.

“It’s not just about robotic mowing. The commercial 60V battery-powered equipment is also playing a significant role in helping facilities operate more efficiently and sustainably. I wanted to be part of that journey.”

David believes one of Kress’s greatest strengths is its continuous commitment to innovation.

“The technology has been there from day one, but what impresses me is that Kress hasn’t stood still,” he said. “The products continue to evolve, new solutions are constantly being developed, and the company is always looking at ways to address the real challenges customers face.

“Across the industry, conversations increasingly come back to automation. Whether it’s labour shortages, rising operating costs or reducing fuel consumption, customers are looking for smarter ways to work. Many are now seeing first-hand the benefits of robotic equipment, from saving man-hours and reducing fuel use to delivering consistent results day after day.”

David also highlighted the influence of Kress’s parent company, Positec Group, as a key factor behind the brand’s growth and future ambitions.

“Positec is incredibly driven when it comes to innovation and investing in the right solutions for customers,” he said. “They’re continually evolving and looking ahead, which makes it an exciting business to be part of. The investment is ongoing, and ultimately it allows us to help customers solve problems and find practical solutions to the challenges they’re facing.”

Looking ahead, David is eager to reconnect with familiar faces and continue building relationships throughout the industry.

“What I’ve always enjoyed most about this industry is the people,” he said. “Whether you’re working with a small local club or a high-profile venue, everyone is striving to achieve the best possible results with the resources available to them.

“I’ve built a lot of long-standing relationships over the years and it’s great to be able to reconnect with many of those people. If Kress can be part of helping customers achieve their goals, then that’s a fantastic position to be in.”

David’s appointment forms part of Kress UK’s ongoing investment in its commercial division as the company continues to expand its presence across the golf and sports turf sectors.

For more information, please visit https://www.kress.com/en-gb/

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

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You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Kress UK appoints David Timms

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Kress UK appoints David Timms

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Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Kress UK appoints David Timms

Kress UK appoints David Timms

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