Page 31 - Raynes Park Vale vs Balham 02-04-22

Around the Club breakers - so I have 15 mins to mowing or otherwise

repair the worse ones. looking after it for hours
How important is the pitch what do you think about?
Who are ya?! You’ve seen them in football? Without a pitch I guess the same thing most
around the club. Sometimes they look angry. Sometimes they you cannot play football. The people think about when they’re
look happy. Sometimes they are just..there. Interested? Of pitch and the quality of the pitch working a combination of general
course you are. This week, it’s the man with the cap, RPV represents the club and is its stuff and concentration on the
miracle-worker, Steve Regan! biggest asset. task with your working on. Oh
What other involvement and what am I going to have for
What do you do at Raynes have you had or do you dinner.
Park Vale? I am the head have in football? I am the What music do you listen
groundsman - in fact the only chairman of Nork Park Rangers to when you’re working?
Groundsman! football club which was founded I don’t always listen to music,
How did you get into in 2011 since then I have been quite often I don’t listen to
groundskeeping? By coaching various teams and anything, when I do I like all
maintaining my own clubs building the club to what it is genres from classical, blues,
pitches and preparing them for today. jazz, house and techno a bit of
our teams to play on. What is the best thing everything I guess. When I’m
What’s the biggest about your job? Spending not listening to music I will be
challenge in your job? my working day in the great listening to talk-SPORT
Weather patterns dictate what outdoors throughout all four Do you ever get annoyed
work I can and can’t do. Working seasons of the year. Also being with players for how they
around the weather and fixtures able to visually see the fruits treat the pitch? I’m not gonna
is probably my biggest challenge. of my labour. Makes it all lie yes I do but not very often at
We hear a lot about the worthwhile. RPV as they are good boys most
quality of the RPV pitch How do you relax? I’m of the time!
what’s your professional PV Head Groundsman, Steve Regan totally relaxed when working so What advice would you give
view on it? I’m not sure what with his Surrey FA Grassroots Foot- I guess being at work is how I to someone who wanted to
you hear good or bad. The pitch ball, Groundskeeper of The Year relax. get into groundskeeping?
is a work in progress and the award. What do you think of 3G Go for it. I wish I’d been a
club is committed to improving pitches? There is no substitute Groundsman all of my working
the playing quality of it. Since I goal, if you pardon the pun, is for grass. However they are very life. Be prepared to work very
took over maintaining it I have to have one of the best grass practical for being able to use in hard all year round. It is the most
been pleased with the progress pitches in the league. almost any weather conditions. rewarding job I have ever done.
we are making and look forward What are you doing at Like most things there are pros If you didn’t do this what
to personally overseeing all the half-time poking the pitch? and cons. would you be doing or
end of season maintenance work Repairing the divots caused People don’t usually see want to do? I’ve got no idea - I
for the first time and preparing by play. Divots can be very you taking care of the pitch couldn’t imagine doing anything
it for the 2022/23 season. My dangerous for the players - ankle when you’re dragging else.