Five in frame for groundsman award
FIVE clubs are in the frame for the title of Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year 2020.
The Judging Panel will visit the five clubs on Tuesday to determine the winner of this season’s competition, which is once again being sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd.
The five clubs involved are Beccles Town, the 2019 winners, Claydon, Halesworth Town, Old Newton United and Ransomes Sports.
The Judging Panel will once more be led by Ipswich Town FC Head Groundsman Ben Connell.
He will be joined by Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Jodie Allard, Institute of Groundsmen, Pitch Advisor East Phil Jeggo, Suffolk FA Pitch Improvement Programme partner Will Parker of Parkers Pitches and Steve Alabaster, Regional Sales Manager of competition sponsors Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd.
The judges will visit all five of the nominated grounds on Tuesday before selecting the winning entry.
The competition is only open to clubs in the county who play at Step 7 and below of the Non-League Pyramid.
Clubs playing at Step 6 and above are eligible to enter separate competitions run nationally by The FA.
In addition to being crowned as Groundsman of the Year, the winning groundsman will win £200 for his club to be spent on groundscare equipment.
The runner-up will receive £100 and the third-placed groundsman £50 to spend on groundscare equipment.
All three groundsmen will be invited to attend the Suffolk FA Awards Ceremony later in the year to receive their prizes.
Pictured above during judging of the 2019 competition are (left to right) Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Jodie Allard, Westerfield United groundsman Roger Osborne and Will Parker of Parkers Pitches.