On Wednesday evening five lucky grounds persons from the Sussex football community were given the opportunity to assist the Brighton & Hove Albion grounds team with pitch preparations at the American Express Stadium ahead of our Sussex Transport Senior Cup Final.

As a first-time collaboration between Brighton & Hove Albion and ourselves, following an invitation from Phil Fifield, Head Grounds Person for Brighton & Hove Albion, the volunteers from local clubs and other organisations, were given the opportunity to get their hands dirty by assisting the in-house team to prepare the pitch before, during half time, and after the final whistle. 

Of course, we say dirty, the pitch prepared to usual Premier League standards was pristine, with only the highly polished Sussex Transport Senior Cup outshining it. 

The five grounds staff - Tim Hilton from Pevensey and Westham FC, Ben Scott of Nutley FC, Peter Harsum from Crawley Borough Council plus Felix Crawfurd and Jac Whitelaw from Brighton and Hove City Council - were given a unique insight into what it is like to work within a professional grounds team working on an elite level surface.

After all the work had been done, a reflective Phi Fifield said: “The guys were great and really seemed to enjoy the evening and the experience of working with our team here. It was a great positive evening.” 

Speak of the experience, Felix Crawfurd, volunteer grounds person with Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “It was fantastic. I really loved it!”

Similarly, Peter Harsum, Sports Ground Manager at Crawley Borough Council, said: “It was a great evening, and I truly appreciated the opportunity to work with such a professional grounds team.”

The work of the grounds staff certainly paid off, as Horsham overcame Hastings United 3-0 in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup Final, with the pitch looking immaculate throughout the evening.

Following the match our Facilities & Investment Officer, Beckie Street said: “I’d firstly like to say a big thank you to Brighton & Hove Albion and their grounds team for being so accommodating by not only giving our volunteers this experience, but also their knowledge on ground maintenance.

“Going forward, we very much hope this is the first of many opportunities for our football community volunteers to work with the Amex Stadium grounds team.”

For further information on grounds team development opportunities or pitch funding please contact: 

Projects 
T: 01903 753547 
E: Projects@SussexFA.com