Page 15 - RPVFC v Hilltop FC

Around The Club
How important is the pitch looking after it for hours
in football? Without a pitch what do you think about?
Who are ya?! you cannot play football. The I guess the same thing most
You’ve seen them around the club. Sometimes they look pitch and the quality of the pitch people think about when they’re
angry. Sometimes they look happy. Sometimes they are just.. represents the club and is its working a combination of general
there. Interested? Of course you are. This week it’s RPV biggest asset. stuff and concentration on the
miracle-worker, Steve Regan! What other involvement task with your working on. Oh

What do you do at Raynes have you had or do you and what am I going to have for
Park Vale? I am the head have in football? I am the dinner.
groundsman - in fact the only chairman of Nork Park Rangers What music do you listen
Groundsman! football club which was founded to when you’re working?
How did you get into in 2011 since then I have been I don’t always listen to music,
groundskeeping? By coaching various teams and quite often I don’t listen to
maintaining my own clubs building the club to what it is anything, when I do I like all
pitches and preparing them for today. genres from classical, blues,
our teams to play on. What is the best thing jazz, house and techno a bit of
What’s the biggest about your job? Spending everything I guess. When I’m
challenge in your job? my working day in the great not listening to music I will be
Weather patterns dictate what outdoors throughout all four listening to talk-SPORT
work I can and can’t do. Working seasons of the year. Also being Do you ever get annoyed
around the weather and fixtures able to visually see the fruits with players for how they
is probably my biggest challenge. of my labour. Makes it all treat the pitch? I’m not gonna
We hear a lot about the worthwhile. lie yes I do but not very often at
quality of the RPV pitch How do you relax? I’m RPV as they are good boys most
what’s your professional totally relaxed when working so of the time!
view on it? I’m not sure what PV Head Groundsman, Steve Regan I guess being at work is how I What advice would you give
you hear good or bad. The pitch with his Surrey FA Grassroots Foot- relax. to someone who wanted to
is a work in progress and the ball, Groundskeeper of The Year What do you think of 3G get into groundskeeping?
club is committed to improving award. pitches? There is no substitute Go for it. I wish I’d been a
the playing quality of it. Since I to have one of the best grass for grass. However they are very Groundsman all of my working
took over maintaining it I have pitches in the league. practical for being able to use in life. Be prepared to work very
been pleased with the progress What are you doing at almost any weather conditions. hard all year round. It is the most
we are making and look forward half-time poking the pitch? Like most things there are pros rewarding job I have ever done.
to personally overseeing all the Repairing the divots caused and cons. If you didn’t do this what
end of season maintenance work by play. Divots can be very People don’t usually see would you be doing or
for the first time and preparing dangerous for the players - ankle you taking care of the pitch want to do? I’ve got no idea - I
it for the 2022/23 season. My breakers - so I have 15 mins to when you’re dragging couldn’t imagine doing anything
goal, if you pardon the pun, is repair the worse ones. mowing or otherwise else. Continued...

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