FIELD OF DREAMS
Every groundsman must dream of working at a world famous facility, and Jonathan Calderwood has achieved exactly that. Having worked at several football clubs since leaving school, he is currently Head Groundsman at Aston Villa, a post he has held for five years.
And this season could be the most exciting yet for Jonathan, who hails from Northern Ireland. Not only does the club have a much-respected new manager, in the form of his compatriot Martin O’Neill, but the well known Villa Park pitch has also been reconstructed to the highest standards during the close season.
“The old pitch was ten years old and was definitely showing its age,” says Jonathan. “There were lots of complaints from players who said it was too hard and that the ball bounce was too high. And we found it really difficult to spike the surface effectively because it was so compacted.
“There was relief all round when the club decided to rebuild the pitch, a project that took 15 weeks. The rootzone comprises 97% sand to make it free-draining. We waited until the grass had established itself sufficiently before knitting in the synthetic grass fibres that bind the subsurface together. We are currently feeding and fertilising the pitch every 14 days, and it is improving all the time. But already we are receiving enthusiastic comments from the players. They say it’s ‘perfect’.”
Jonathan certainly has all the skills necessary to establish and maintain a pitch that accommodates matches at the highest club level as well as hosting England internationals. He has always been passionate about football and groundsmanship.
As a boy in Northern Ireland, he supported the mighty Belfast side Glentoran, never missing a single game. When the time came to think about a work experience placement during school time, Jonathan plucked up courage and asked the club if he could join the grounds care team for a short spell. He loved it, did well and knew it was the career for him.
Coincidentally, when Jonathan left school, the Assistant Groundsman’s position at Glentoran became vacant. Knowing his skills and enthusiasm, the club had no hesitation in taking him on, and he stayed there for two years.
In order to gain formal turf care qualifications, Jonathan crossed the water to attend Myerscough College in Lancashire, following a three-year course with placements. He achieved Distinctions in the theory elements after the first six months, and this meant he had the pick of the placements on offer. He could have gone to the world famous All England Tennis Club at Wimbledon, but as a position at Wembley Stadium was the other option, there was no contest, given his passion for football.
Jonathan worked at Wembley for six months in a team of four. “It was a fantastic experience, and I went back to Wembley full-time as Deputy Head Groundsman on leaving Myerscough, for three and a half years. On occasions I travelled with the England players to look after overseas pitches, and even stayed at the team hotels.”
When Wembley had to close for reconstruction in 2001, Jonathan found a new job as Contracts Manager with the contractor Sports Turf Maintenance (STM), who looked after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molyneux ground. The pitch won a quality award in 2003. Nearby Aston Villa were impressed by the quality of the surface and eventually asked STM to maintain Villa Park as well, which was Jonathan’s first contact with the club. He also started overseeing work at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park stadium, one day per week.
When the chance came shortly afterwards to join Aston Villa as Head Groundsman, Jonathan leapt at a dream opportunity. Now, as well as being in charge of a newly constructed pitch, he has had the benefit of choosing a wish list of machinery for maintaining it.
High on his list were four Dennis precision mowers, comprising two G860s and two Premiers, to keep the sward in perfect condition. Having used the company’s equipment previously at Glentoran, he knew the quality results it achieved.
The 860mm (34in) wide G860 has a 6.5hp Honda petrol engine and weighs only 166kg, so its light footprint avoids compacting the new pitch. It incorporates a steel-geared differential in an oil bath for easy turning without scuffing the grass, and a cast, 3-section aluminium ribbed roller ensures positive traction.
Like other Dennis mowers, the G860 is straightforward to use and service points for routine maintenance are easily accessible. Mowing height can be adjusted quickly between 0-56mm. The low vibration handlebars incorporate a console with the throttle, parking brake, roller and cutter clutch.
The G860 is an 860mm (34in) cut. The same machine is also available as 760mm (30in) and 660mm (26in). Each can accept interchangeable cassettes for other essential maintenance tasks, extending the efficiency and versatility of the British-built machine. Available attachments include a turf brush, scarifiers and verticutters as well as the 6 or 8 bladed cutter cassette.
Jonathan chose a 910mm (36in) diesel-engined version of the Premier, which is also available as a 760mm (30in) model. Height of cut is precisely adjusted from 6-57mm (1/4-2 1/4in) and the 6-blade cylinder gives 100 cuts per metre (90 cuts per yard).
Gearbox drive through automotive clutches gives reliable operation, with simple controls mounted on the operating console. Like the G860, its cast iron 3-section ribbed roller gives positive traction and the steel geared differential enhances manoeuvrability. Steering brakes are fitted as standard for easy turning, and electric start is incorporated.
Jonathan has a good relationship with local Dennis dealer, Park & Grounds Machinery, who took his order for the machines. Dennis Managing Director, Ian Howard, visited Villa Park specially to hand over the quartet of machines personally.
“I have used other mowers that copied the cassette system employed by Dennis, but none has come close to it in terms of performance and the quality of the aesthetically pleasing, striped finish on the turf,” says Jonathan. “We mow twice on the day before a game, and also on the morning of the match.”
He adds that Martin O’Neill takes a keen interest in the pitch. “He tells me things like how short he wants the grass on match days, and whether he would like the sprinklers on at half time. He tends to like the surface short and wet. Some managers want to train on the pitch virtually all the time, but neither the first team nor the reserves are allowed to here, which really helps the grass. He appreciates that my staff and I have many factors to contend with, such as a lack of natural light and restricted air movement because of the size and height of the stands, and this is really refreshing.”
Jonathan and his Assistant, Nigel Pardore, always prepares the pitch in exactly the same way, regardless of who is playing or the level of competition, with the single aim of “producing the best pitch for every match”.
Further afield, Dennis continues to enjoy success at both home and abroad. The UK market continues to boom with the company enjoying strong sales growth in key sectors over the last 12 months.
Significant sales successes have also been achieved in European markets and former eastern bloc countries like Poland. As Ian Howard explains, “these countries are investing heavily in their sporting infrastructures and require quality equipment to maintain them properly after construction. We have a strong global distribution network and are able to supply this demand.”
And with Martin O’Neill at the helm, a strong grounds maintenance team and a quality machinery fleet, Aston Villa might also be enjoying European success in the future.
And this season could be the most exciting yet for Jonathan, who hails from Northern Ireland. Not only does the club have a much-respected new manager, in the form of his compatriot Martin O’Neill, but the well known Villa Park pitch has also been reconstructed to the highest standards during the close season.
“The old pitch was ten years old and was definitely showing its age,” says Jonathan. “There were lots of complaints from players who said it was too hard and that the ball bounce was too high. And we found it really difficult to spike the surface effectively because it was so compacted.
“There was relief all round when the club decided to rebuild the pitch, a project that took 15 weeks. The rootzone comprises 97% sand to make it free-draining. We waited until the grass had established itself sufficiently before knitting in the synthetic grass fibres that bind the subsurface together. We are currently feeding and fertilising the pitch every 14 days, and it is improving all the time. But already we are receiving enthusiastic comments from the players. They say it’s ‘perfect’.”
Jonathan certainly has all the skills necessary to establish and maintain a pitch that accommodates matches at the highest club level as well as hosting England internationals. He has always been passionate about football and groundsmanship.
As a boy in Northern Ireland, he supported the mighty Belfast side Glentoran, never missing a single game. When the time came to think about a work experience placement during school time, Jonathan plucked up courage and asked the club if he could join the grounds care team for a short spell. He loved it, did well and knew it was the career for him.
Coincidentally, when Jonathan left school, the Assistant Groundsman’s position at Glentoran became vacant. Knowing his skills and enthusiasm, the club had no hesitation in taking him on, and he stayed there for two years.
In order to gain formal turf care qualifications, Jonathan crossed the water to attend Myerscough College in Lancashire, following a three-year course with placements. He achieved Distinctions in the theory elements after the first six months, and this meant he had the pick of the placements on offer. He could have gone to the world famous All England Tennis Club at Wimbledon, but as a position at Wembley Stadium was the other option, there was no contest, given his passion for football.
Jonathan worked at Wembley for six months in a team of four. “It was a fantastic experience, and I went back to Wembley full-time as Deputy Head Groundsman on leaving Myerscough, for three and a half years. On occasions I travelled with the England players to look after overseas pitches, and even stayed at the team hotels.”
When Wembley had to close for reconstruction in 2001, Jonathan found a new job as Contracts Manager with the contractor Sports Turf Maintenance (STM), who looked after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molyneux ground. The pitch won a quality award in 2003. Nearby Aston Villa were impressed by the quality of the surface and eventually asked STM to maintain Villa Park as well, which was Jonathan’s first contact with the club. He also started overseeing work at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park stadium, one day per week.
When the chance came shortly afterwards to join Aston Villa as Head Groundsman, Jonathan leapt at a dream opportunity. Now, as well as being in charge of a newly constructed pitch, he has had the benefit of choosing a wish list of machinery for maintaining it.
High on his list were four Dennis precision mowers, comprising two G860s and two Premiers, to keep the sward in perfect condition. Having used the company’s equipment previously at Glentoran, he knew the quality results it achieved.
The 860mm (34in) wide G860 has a 6.5hp Honda petrol engine and weighs only 166kg, so its light footprint avoids compacting the new pitch. It incorporates a steel-geared differential in an oil bath for easy turning without scuffing the grass, and a cast, 3-section aluminium ribbed roller ensures positive traction.
Like other Dennis mowers, the G860 is straightforward to use and service points for routine maintenance are easily accessible. Mowing height can be adjusted quickly between 0-56mm. The low vibration handlebars incorporate a console with the throttle, parking brake, roller and cutter clutch.
The G860 is an 860mm (34in) cut. The same machine is also available as 760mm (30in) and 660mm (26in). Each can accept interchangeable cassettes for other essential maintenance tasks, extending the efficiency and versatility of the British-built machine. Available attachments include a turf brush, scarifiers and verticutters as well as the 6 or 8 bladed cutter cassette.
Jonathan chose a 910mm (36in) diesel-engined version of the Premier, which is also available as a 760mm (30in) model. Height of cut is precisely adjusted from 6-57mm (1/4-2 1/4in) and the 6-blade cylinder gives 100 cuts per metre (90 cuts per yard).
Gearbox drive through automotive clutches gives reliable operation, with simple controls mounted on the operating console. Like the G860, its cast iron 3-section ribbed roller gives positive traction and the steel geared differential enhances manoeuvrability. Steering brakes are fitted as standard for easy turning, and electric start is incorporated.
Jonathan has a good relationship with local Dennis dealer, Park & Grounds Machinery, who took his order for the machines. Dennis Managing Director, Ian Howard, visited Villa Park specially to hand over the quartet of machines personally.
“I have used other mowers that copied the cassette system employed by Dennis, but none has come close to it in terms of performance and the quality of the aesthetically pleasing, striped finish on the turf,” says Jonathan. “We mow twice on the day before a game, and also on the morning of the match.”
He adds that Martin O’Neill takes a keen interest in the pitch. “He tells me things like how short he wants the grass on match days, and whether he would like the sprinklers on at half time. He tends to like the surface short and wet. Some managers want to train on the pitch virtually all the time, but neither the first team nor the reserves are allowed to here, which really helps the grass. He appreciates that my staff and I have many factors to contend with, such as a lack of natural light and restricted air movement because of the size and height of the stands, and this is really refreshing.”
Jonathan and his Assistant, Nigel Pardore, always prepares the pitch in exactly the same way, regardless of who is playing or the level of competition, with the single aim of “producing the best pitch for every match”.
Further afield, Dennis continues to enjoy success at both home and abroad. The UK market continues to boom with the company enjoying strong sales growth in key sectors over the last 12 months.
Significant sales successes have also been achieved in European markets and former eastern bloc countries like Poland. As Ian Howard explains, “these countries are investing heavily in their sporting infrastructures and require quality equipment to maintain them properly after construction. We have a strong global distribution network and are able to supply this demand.”
And with Martin O’Neill at the helm, a strong grounds maintenance team and a quality machinery fleet, Aston Villa might also be enjoying European success in the future.