Macclesfield Town FC on Target for the Best Pitch in the North West
The prospect of growing a soccer field or sports field from clean (back to soil) out to play in 16 days, would not only be a dream of soccer groundsmen and their stadium owners in Europe, but it would currently be impossible!
I have now twice personally witnessed the operation of cleaning Bermuda fields out of all the thatch and organic build up, down to the rootzone leaving a thatch free surface and the ryegrass / stolons are ready for a healthy and almost immediate regrowth.
The initial trails in March 2013, at FC Dallas proved very successful, with clean out of organic build up and sod layer. The reaction of both Allen Reed and Miles Studhalter the head groundsmen is something I will remember for a long time. It was a mixture of utter delight, disbelief, excitement and fear!
The grow in at FC Dallas was slower than expected due to an exceptionally cold spring this year in TX, but both Allen and Miles are very happy with the results.
Macclesfield Town Football Club now embedded in the Conference National League, face a difficult new season. They need an excellent pitch if they are to meet the challenge head-on.
A seriously wet winter has resulted in a tremendous build-up of poa annua leaving an uneven soggy playing surface. The solution came in the form of a complete renovation using the latest equipment and techniques from Macclesfield based Machinery importer and distributor, Campey Turf Care Systems.
“The whole pitch surface was removed with the Koro Field TopMaker (FTM) fitted with the new Terraplane® rotor” said Dave Towns Macclesfield Town director of grounds. “This is a fantastic machine, and we are really impressed with how it works.”
The Terraplaning was followed with final surface hygiene pass with an Imants Rotosweep. This highly efficient sweeper ensures perfect clean up with its unique double brush collector system – giving 100% clean-up of all debris.
Times are financially tough for everyone and to maximize the limited funds available, Dave decided to try the new version of the Koro Recycling Dresser, said Dave Towns “What an incredible piece of equipment. By recycling material already contained within the pitch surface, we were able to de-compact, aerate and then create and spread 80 tonnes of our sand rootzone.”
Dave continued “This machine has saved us hundreds of pounds and all in one operation, we have not had to purchase and transport any sand, we have not had to load it and spread it – this was all carried out by the Koro Recycling Dresser in five hours.”
Final leveling was achieved by the Koro Speed Harrows, a very fast and accurate operation, preparing the surface for overseeding with the Vredo Supa Compact seeder in two directions.
Richard Campey is delighted with progress so far “The whole renovation was carried out in two days despite appalling weather conditions. By the first match on 23rd July Macclesfield Town will have one of the best playing surfaces in the North West of the UK.”
For the full range of equipment from Campey Turf Care Systems visit www.campeyturfcare.com
Find us on facebook – www.facebook.com/campeys
Follow us on Twitter – @CampeyTurfCare
Watch us on YouTube – www.youtube.com/CampeyMachinery
