Module 8:

8.3 Planning the maintenance inputs

1   Now that we know the type of pitch as well as the desired quality and usage schedule, we can start to create an annual work plan that is specific to our requirements.

We will assume that there will be adequate resources available, which often isn’t the case. However, producing a detailed work plan that is directly related to pitch carrying capacity and playing performances will help senior management to better understand expectations and what is needed to achieve those expectations in allowing players to perform to the best of their ability.

In other modules we have identified a range of maintenance activities and materials needed for producing a suitable football pitch. Now we want you to plot them into a schedule for when they might be carried out.

In addition, you will be considering how often each activity might realistically be carried out for the desired quality grade of pitch, and for the geographical location of the pitch.

2   The following graphic illustrates the relative (typical) soil moisture content of football pitches over a 12-month period. The soil is typically wettest over the period when little or no grass growth takes place, making recovery from wear negligible to non-existent: This is a major challenge for a ground’s manager, having to balance usage requirements, with limiting the speed and extent of pitch degradation.

Another significant consideration is how the ground conditions affect and limit the type of maintenance work that can effectively be carried out on the pitch. Minimising compaction and surface smearing from mechanical work is a major consideration for any ground’s manager.

3   If pitch quality is to be maintained to a minimum level throughout the entire playing season then having a formal and transparent match cancellation policy is essential, otherwise playing even a single game under unsuitable ground conditions can severely damage a pitch. The consequence of this can be an underperforming and frequently unsatisfactory pitch for much of the rest of the season. This will be to the detriment of all players who will be unable to perform to the best of their abilities thereby affecting match results and league position. In addition, this will also contribute to a negative view of club management.

So, for your particular pitch you will want to reflect on all the features we have mentioned so far in this module to help build-up a realistic annual maintenance work plan. The maintenance schedule does also need to be realistic for available budgets or proposed budgets otherwise it will just be a table with a range of values that bear no relation to reality.