Football pitch maintenance and management

Football Pitch Determining Maintenance Requirements advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

One of the commonest questions which needs to be considered is ‘What do I, or we, need to do to maintain the pitch?’

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch Dimensions advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

All pitch dimensions must be in accordance with the Laws of the game. The Football Association’s ‘Law 1: The field of play’ identifies the relevant dimensions and layout for a football pitch. These follow the IFAB (International Football Association Board) Laws of the Game.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch Diseases advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

For the majority of football pitches, the issue of disease attack should not be a concern. Where pitches are intensively maintained and located or constructed on sand profiles and in stadia type environments, then this will present a lot more challenges.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch Drag brushing advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

Drag brushing can be a useful maintenance activity, especially during low to no growth periods when the mower is not being used.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch End of season renovation advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

End of season renovation work will typically consist of cultivation of worn areas, if not the entire pitch, including scarification, or chain harrowing on basic level pitches, decompaction rather than routine aeration work, fertiliser application, overseeding and top-dressing.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch End of season renovation undertaken by a contractor advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

For many clubs, especially those maintained by volunteers with a limited range of machinery, the use of a contractor to carry out the complete range of end of season renovations is the most appropriate option.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch Equipment List advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

The maintenance of a football pitch will require a range of equipment, from hand tools to sit-on machinery, however, the following list is meant as a minimum, a starting point, from which improved effectiveness and efficiency of maintenance practices can be built up over time.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch FAQ 1. What do we need to do to maintain our pitch both efficiently and effectively? advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

To answer this question is no simple matter because there are many variables which need to be considered, many of which are interconnected.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch FAQ 10. How much top-dressing do we need? advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

This will depend on a range of factors, including the current condition of the pitch, quality expectations and available resources.

Continue reading about this

Football Pitch FAQ 11. Is installing a drainage system worth the cost? advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A good question and one which needs careful consideration in relation to the business plan for an organisation.

Continue reading about this