Football Pitch Determining Maintenance Requirements 
One of the commonest questions which needs to be considered is ‘What do I, or we, need to do to maintain the pitch?’
To answer this question is no simple matter because there are many variables to consider and just as importantly, if not more so, is the interconnections between the many variables. No wonder there is such a diversity of opinion and practice in the maintenance of football pitches.
One of the first steps is to think about are the aim and objectives for the pitch.
Two key areas that will need to be considered are:
• The desired quality standard of pitch surface and how this might be allowed to change as the season progresses.
• The expected usage. This will include level of matches played; expected training sessions; age groups of users.
A thorough investigation will also be needed to gather relevant information. This will ensure resources are not wasted and better-informed decisions can be made, so getting this right at the start provides a solid foundation.
Carry out as comprehensive an assessment of the pitch’s surface and sub-surface so you know what the likely capacity for use might be (i.e. the pitch’s carrying capacity), as well as the maintenance inputs needed to deliver what is required.
So, consider gathering information on the following (this list is not exhaustive but does start to highlight that to get the most from a pitch there are many factors to consider):
• The soil type: It is essential to find out the soil texture as this influences drainage capability and the rootzone's ability to retain nutrients and its water holding capacity.
• Whether there is any compaction, soil layers, or root breaks within the soil profile.
• Any installed drainage.
• Where its situated: open access (park type) pitch; restricted access pitch; stadium pitch.
• The shade cast on the pitch: where it occurs; when it occurs, and for how long.
• Is waterlogging a problem in any area of the pitch?
• How well does the pitch drain after light, medium, heavy, or thunderstorm level rainfall?
• If 10mm (or other measures) of rain fell on one day, how long would it typically take to disappear from the surface?
• What equipment, machinery and materials do you currently have? This will also include age and condition of machinery in particular.
• What storage arrangements are there for assets? This will include how secure the storage is, especially from vandalism and theft.
• What materials have been applied to the pitch so far this year?
• What was the maintenance input last year? This could be summarised as the total number of cuts, aeration, brushing, fertiliser applications etc. This should be given as frequencies and also the total times taken for each task. This will help building up a detailed and accurate work schedule.
• What materials were applied last year? Types, quantities and details of any analysis, e.g. fertiliser in particular.
• Was any work carried out by a contractor, and if so, what was it?
• Where is the pitch located geographically? This will indicate likely weather conditions and influence ground conditions and potential pitch playability.
• What, if any, is the pitch management policy? This will look at match cancellations and postponements to help deliver a pitch which meets the desired playing quality over the length of the playing season.
• What funds are readily available for any machinery or equipment investments?
• What are the likely limitations for revenue costs? To be split between materials, labour, and machinery servicing.
This all helps to build a picture of what a club currently has, its expectations, and whether these can be realised with what’s available. Or whether additional funds are needed, pitch improvements are needed and to what extent (e.g. bypass drainage system maybe), or a more realistic expectation is aligned with what can be achieved.