Keeping turf tip-top
With thousands of spectators at the ground throughout the season and even more viewing the pitch if a game is televised, the business of caring for the turf cannot be taken lightly. Turf Business caught up with them to ask how they maintain their standards and to comment on a recent HAIX boots footwear trial they undertook.
A dedicated team
Grounds Manager John Ledwidge and his team at the club’s stadium and nearby training ground are dedicated to ensuring that the turf stays topnotch. The Leicester City groundsmen won the prestigious Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Football Grounds Team of the Year award in 2015, evidence of their dedication and skill. But to give their best, they must protect themselves from the elements and be warm and comfortable.
Callum Allsop, Head Groundsman at the training ground said “We prepare a safe and playable surface for the players but we also have to stay safe and protected.” With the football season beginning in mid August and finishing in mid-May, the summer sees the team ripping up the pitches for renovation and re-seeding. Then with seeds showing, it’s back to daily mowing and turf care. The team endure sun and frosts in equal measure throughout the year, with most of their time spent outside. So safety clothing and footwear protection play an important part. Whatever the weather, they are working outside on a range of tasks, sometimes walking 14 miles a day.
HAIX collaboration with Gore
In 2015 HAIX safety shoe manufacturer, in partnership with W.L. Gore and Associates (UK) Limited created new leather and textile boot designs under the name, Black Eagle 50 Mid utilising GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort product technology. These lightweight boots are rated to standard EN ISO 20345:2011 safety footwear for professional use with the classification 1 of S3. S3 classified boots offer basic requirements for a safety boot, as well as closed and energy absorbing seat region, antistatic, protection from water penetration and absorption, penetration resistant and cleated sole. From January to March 2017, the team of ten groundsmen undertook a wearer trial of the HAIX GORE-TEX® Black Eagle 50 Mid boot and the boots are still in active daily service today.
Team feedback
After three months, feedback showed that 100% found the boots waterproof, with 80% saying sweat levels were far less than in previous boots they’d worn. A hundred per cent found the weight of the boot good or very good, thus avoiding tired and heavy feet. Ninety per cent said temperature was pleasant when indoors or when outdoors in varying temperatures. A hundred per cent found the comfort of the footwear good or very good and all found them better than their previous boots. Asked to comment on re-drying qualities, replies included “always dry by morning”. The whole team said they would recommend the boots to colleagues.
Fitting results
The groundsmen at Leicester City put these boots through their paces and showed positive feedback from the team, who appreciated the science behind the durable and breathable waterproof GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Technology. The lesson is, look after your feet with the right boots and you can keep toes and turf in top condition.
www.gore-tex.co.uk/professional