Weymouth FC’s impressive start to the season has seen the Terras earn three wins from their opening three games, drawing praise for their performances on the pitch. But behind the scenes, another key ingredient in the club’s early success has been attracting admiration: the pitch itself.
Despite prolonged dry weather and the challenges posed by ongoing drought conditions, the club’s volunteer grounds team has worked tirelessly throughout the summer to maintain one of the best playing surfaces in the area while also reducing water consumption.
In a bid to manage the effects of the dry spell responsibly, the grounds team adopted a number of new techniques and technologies. A specialist wetting agent was applied several weeks ago, alongside a slow-release fertiliser supplied by Agrovista and specifically designed for drought conditions.
The wetting agent helps water penetrate through the thatch layer and reach the roots more effectively, significantly reducing the amount of water required to keep the grass healthy and green. While some dry patches have appeared in areas around the pitch with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the playing surface itself has remained in excellent condition.
The club has also taken practical steps to limit water usage, temporarily switching off irrigation systems and supporting calls from Wessex Water for customers to use less water while no restrictions are currently in place.
The project has benefitted from expert advice from Pete Hussey of Wildwood Machinery, who works alongside Kath Purnell at Dorset County FA on grassroots pitch improvements, as well as Ian Lucas, Head Groundsman at AFC Bournemouth, and Jimmy Hallett from Weymouth Golf Club.
Speaking about the effort involved, thanks are extended to our grounds team and the dedication of its volunteers. The project has relied on the hard work of Kev, Tony, Thomas, Steve D, Spooki, Paul, Sam, Trev, Malcolm and Alfie, who have collectively contributed countless hours over the summer months.
Special thanks were also extended to Agrovista and to Paul and Chris Froud, who completed renovation work on the pitch before the last significant rainfall.
While the club hopes for some much-needed rain in the coming weeks, Weymouth FC’s volunteers can take pride in ensuring that, even in challenging conditions, the Bob Lucas Stadium continues to boast a playing surface that matches the high standards being set by the team on it.
Iain Stone
Head Groundsman and Community Director
