News
01/01/2003
VERSATILE BRUSHING "AT THE FLICK OF A SWITCH"
"Groundsman of the Year 2002" Steve Welch became Grounds Manager at Nottingham Forest FC in 1996. He has a staff of 8 and says that he receives 100% backing from the Nottingham Forest management.
When he arrived, from Leicester City FC, Forest had just the main stadium and three training pitches. Steve has since overseen the reconstruction of 10 natural turf pitches (involving root-zone improvements and full irrigation systems) and two synthetic "rubber crumb" training pitches have been installed; one indoor and one outdoor.
The synthetic pitches are Desso DD Soccer Grass with an anticipated minimum life of 10 years. Of course, this can only be guaranteed if the maintenance is right. Steve looked at the available machinery and the SISIS OSCA oscillating brush came out on top for both effectiveness and price.
Steve says, "The Desso pitches need regular brushing. When first laid they need an implement that will lightly "flick" the surface to make the pile stand up. They also need drag brushing from time to time. The SISIS OSCA will do either with just a flick of the pto switch".
Used two or three times a week, the OSCA also gives a fast work rate which has enabled the ground staff to "absorb" the extra work imposed by the installation of the new synthetic pitches. The pitches were laid by Hewitts sports Turf and their consultant Peter Dury has had regular monthly meetings with Steve to ensure that the maintenance programme is working well.
The synthetic pitches have been a valuable addition to the Forest complex. Essential to qualify for Academy status, they are used for youth matches 6 or 7 days a week. The 1st team also uses them for training when the weather is bad.
OSCA 3
When he arrived, from Leicester City FC, Forest had just the main stadium and three training pitches. Steve has since overseen the reconstruction of 10 natural turf pitches (involving root-zone improvements and full irrigation systems) and two synthetic "rubber crumb" training pitches have been installed; one indoor and one outdoor.
The synthetic pitches are Desso DD Soccer Grass with an anticipated minimum life of 10 years. Of course, this can only be guaranteed if the maintenance is right. Steve looked at the available machinery and the SISIS OSCA oscillating brush came out on top for both effectiveness and price.
Steve says, "The Desso pitches need regular brushing. When first laid they need an implement that will lightly "flick" the surface to make the pile stand up. They also need drag brushing from time to time. The SISIS OSCA will do either with just a flick of the pto switch".
Used two or three times a week, the OSCA also gives a fast work rate which has enabled the ground staff to "absorb" the extra work imposed by the installation of the new synthetic pitches. The pitches were laid by Hewitts sports Turf and their consultant Peter Dury has had regular monthly meetings with Steve to ensure that the maintenance programme is working well.
The synthetic pitches have been a valuable addition to the Forest complex. Essential to qualify for Academy status, they are used for youth matches 6 or 7 days a week. The 1st team also uses them for training when the weather is bad.
OSCA 3
