SPORTS PITCHES
Super-fast germination at Wigan Athletic FC
igan Athletic FC ’ s
W gounds team had a short window for renovation this summer – due to playing host to Belgium women ’ s national team at its Christopher Place training ground during the UEFA Women ’ s European Championships , alongside Wigan Warrior ’ s usual early start to its playing season at the dualuse DW Stadium .
Nevertheless , grounds manager Ian Forshaw and his team of five managed to turn around exceptional playing surfaces at both venues in record time , thanks to Rigby Taylor ’ s R140 and Sports Field Renovation grass seed , plus a robust fertiliser programme from Origin Amenity Solutions .
“ We noticed seed germination at the training ground in just four days and were pretty amazed to say the least ,” Ian says . “ I had full faith in Sports Field Renovation ’ s 50 % blend of Tetraploid & Diploid Ryegrass seed , which I used for quick germination in the short six-week renovation window . The soil temperature was there and so was the moisture . We didn ’ t sheet any of the pitches it just came through naturally .”
Ian has developed an expertise in managing and installing various types of playing surfaces during his career and is a big supporter of Rigby Taylor products . Rigby Taylor are joined by Headland Amenity , Turf Keeper . com and Symbio in making up Origin Amenity Solutions . Ian joined Wigan
Ian Forshaw at the Christopher Place training ground during the UEFA Women ’ s European Championship
Athletic in 1998 , from a background in horticulture , and worked his way up to Head Groundsman at the DW Stadium – managing dual-use surfaces for Wigan AFC and Wigan Warriors RLFC . Looking to further his skillset , he moved to County Turf in 2016 , and gained experience in installing hybrid carpet systems at Real Madrid FC and Paris St Germain training grounds , as well as Croke Park , Gloucester Rugby , Leicester Tigers and Doncaster Knights – before moving back to a grounds role at Fylde FC .
“ During my spare time at Fylde , I helped Wigan with mowing and divoting , after they went into administration a couple of years ago , and when the club was able to take on a head groundsman I was asked to come back . It feels like I ’ ve come home ,” he says .
One of the first things Ian did on his return was to get the playing surfaces back up to standard by re-establishing a robust seed and fertilising programme . The demand for quality surfaces in the Championship League is high , which is why he says he trusts Rigby Taylor products and appreciates regular visits from his Technical Area Manager Andy Merry .
“ Andy and I have put together a stadium and a training ground programme , which both fit within our agreed budget and are continually reviewed and adapted where necessary ,” he says .
According to Ian , the stadium pitch ’ s programme includes R140 seed and a mixture of PolyPro controlled-release fertilisers alongside specific products from the Apex Organic range for the stadium ’ s SIS hybrid playing surface . This is topped up with pre-mixed , liquid fertilisers – Nutri-Link Base , which promotes sward density , wear resistance and disease tolerance , plus Rapid Response and SeaQuest for exceptional pre-match presentation . However , the biggest benefit , Ian says , is that it ensures “ excellent playability and recovery after each game ”.
60 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | September / October 2022