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It’s what’s underneath that counts

September 9, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

It’s what’s underneath that counts: Ed Mowe, head groundsman at Leicester Tigers, believes that a good sand is integral to the performance and health of a sports pitch – and it is for this reason that he has relied on Mansfield Sand products throughout his career. Before joining the Tigers, Ed’s career had seen him […]

Orpington groundsman wins top award

September 9, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Orpington groundsman wins top award: Orpington Football Club’s Paul Wade has been named groundsman of the year. He beat 50 others shortlisted for the national award and was chosen by a national panel as the Grounds Team of the Year at the FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards. Mr Wade said: “There is lots to […]

It’s what’s underneath that counts

September 9, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Orpington groundsman wins top award

September 9, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

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It’s what’s underneath that counts

September 9, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

It’s what’s underneath that counts: Ed Mowe, head groundsman at Leicester Tigers, believes that a good sand is integral to the performance and health of a sports pitch – and it is for this reason that he has relied on Mansfield Sand products throughout his career.

Before joining the Tigers, Ed’s career had seen him work on the grounds at Leicester City Football Club and at England FA’s St George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent. He has now been with the ten times English champions since 2016 and as well as looking after the pitch at the Tigers’ famous Welford Road stadium, he and his team also look after the seating and terracing areas at the ground, all the surrounding car parks and public access ways, as well as the training pitches and facilities at Oval Park.

It’s what’s underneath that counts

It’s safe to say that Ed and his team have their work cut out, and therefore they insist on using high performing products that will help make their life easier. Ed claims that products from Mansfield Sand have always given him a certain peace of mind.

“I’ve been using Mansfield Sand products for 24 years, from when I was at Leicester City FC and St Georges Park and now here at Leicester Tigers.

“You might not actually get to see what using a good sand does when you look at a pitch but if you don’t have a good sand product then I guarantee that you will soon run into problems. It’s what is underneath that counts.”

Ed chooses to use Moist Mansil 35 (MM35) which is part of the Mansil Silica Sand Sports Range. Sourced directly from the company’s Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, the Mansil Silica products are predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces – from winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas.

He uses MM35 for end of season renovations but always keeps some in reserve for the season ahead – as he explains.

“MM35 is an essential part of our renovations each year,” said Ed. “At the stadium pitch, we’ll clean it up, remove all the vegetation and then apply 40 tonnes of sand. That will then be Vertidrained and we will brush the pitch so we can incorporate the sand into the Vertidrain holes.

It’s what’s underneath that counts

“We also use MM35 on our training pitches,” continued Ed. “Each year we purchase approximately 200 tonnes from Mansfield Sand. We’ll get the main bulk of this spread during renovations, but we always make sure that we have a little stockpile left over.

“We then can use this throughout the season if there are any areas which need dressing. It is particularly useful for any hollows or low divots.

“I find the quality of products from Mansfield Sand always very good – they are incredibly consistent, which is what we look for.

“I also believe that the sand plays a massive role in the playability of the pitch. It aids drainage, keeps the pitch healthy, and helps us achieve the levels we need during renovations.

“I wouldn’t have been using Mansfield Sand for so long if their sand didn’t make such a difference.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Orpington groundsman wins top award

September 9, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Orpington groundsman wins top award: Orpington Football Club’s Paul Wade has been named groundsman of the year.

He beat 50 others shortlisted for the national award and was chosen by a national panel as the Grounds Team of the Year at the FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards.

Greenkeeper retires after 47 years

Mr Wade said: “There is lots to do. You only get back what you put into it. I do it out of love for the football club, I don’t do it for any other reason.”

A volunteer at the club for over 15 years, he has fulfilled several roles, including club secretary and welfare officer.

As groundsman, he dedicates up to 15 hours a week over three days to single-handedly maintain 16 pitches at Goddington Park for over 450 players. He also helps maintain the pavilion, toilets and changing rooms.

The judging panel paid homage to his intuitive knowledge of the park and its drainage systems, the relationships he has built with park users and the local borough council and his ability to make tough decisions when it comes to calling games off.

Chairman of the club Richard Kettle said: “Orpington Football Club are extremely proud of our groundsman Paul for winning this award. Paul has been a wonderful servant of the club for nearly two decades and is the lifeblood of the club and the community we serve.

“We couldn’t offer football to the amount of people we do without Paul, so it really is wonderful to see all his hard work rewarded. We would like to once again thank Paul for everything he does for the club.”

The club’s head of football Simon Morris added: “I’ve never seen a man work so hard and give so much back to the community.”

Under-10 manager Dean Francolini added: “You take Paul out of the club everything falls apart.”

Darryl Haden, Kent FA chief exec, said: “The team at Kent FA would like to offer our congratulations to Paul Wade and Orpington FC.

“Grassroots football would not exist without the commitment and dedication of volunteers like Paul and we are pleased that he has been recognised for his service to the grassroots game at Orpington FC.”

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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)

It’s what’s underneath that counts

Orpington groundsman wins top award

It’s what’s underneath that counts

Orpington groundsman wins top award

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

It’s what’s underneath that counts

It’s what’s underneath that counts: Ed Mowe, head groundsman at Leicester Tigers, believes that a good sand is integral to the performance and health of a sports pitch – and it is for this reason that he has relied on Mansfield Sand products throughout his career.

Orpington groundsman wins top award

Orpington groundsman wins top award: Orpington Football Club’s Paul Wade has been named groundsman of the year.

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