Having recently renewed their Toro agreements, Manchester United and Manchester City – two great rivals of the Premier League – are united in their praise for Toro equipment.

United’s head groundsman, Tony Sinclair, estimates that 70 per cent of the club’s turf maintenance machinery is Toro and is delighted with his recent Toro arrivals. “We’re very pleased with all the equipment,” he says. “We’ve been using Toro for over a decade. So many top sports clubs use Toro – they can’t all be wrong!”

United recently invested in a new Workman utility vehicle with 200 Sprayer attachment, which Tony is particularly impressed with. “It’s a great multipurpose piece of kit. The attachment allows us to apply fertiliser evenly and can then be quickly removed to transform the machine back into a Workman.”

Of City’s new kit, head groundsman Roy Rigby is especially enthusiastic about the Reelmaster 5510-D. “We’ve been using the machine at our training ground since April and it’s great,” he enthuses. “We had two Reelmaster 2000-Ds before and, though we can’t fault them, this new mower can do the same amount of work those two did put together in the same amount of time. It just frees up an extra man to do extra jobs around the grounds. It’s been a beneficial addition without a doubt.”

City has been a Toro customer for the past seven years, although Roy has been familiar with Toro since his time at Blackburn Rovers and believes he’s been using its machines for 17 years in total. “It’s quality – that’s all I can say really! They’re quality machines and the back-up is also second-to-none. We’re really happy. That’s why we keep coming back for more!”

Both clubs are also big fans of Toro’s trusty Workman utility vehicles. Whether tending to the training grounds or City of Manchester Stadium pitch, Roy and his deputy, Lee Jackson, rely on their Workman to make mowing even speedier. “When we’re out mowing, one of us can be ready with the Workman, collecting up the grass. If we’re due rain in a couple of hours, it means we can still cut and box up the grass, and be away and finished in time.”

Tony agrees: “The Workman buggies are handy pieces of kit to have – they’re great for moving grass and fertiliser bags around, and making the job that bit easier.” He also divulges his favourite Toro machine: “The ProCore 648 is very good. It’s great because it’s pedestrian and doesn’t disturb the ground. It’s one of my favourites, I have to say.”

Finally, the clubs also see eye-to-eye when it comes to the quality of service they receive from local Toro dealer, Cheshire Turf Machinery. “Whenever we need servicing or help, Steve Halley at CTM is out right away,” says Roy. And Tony adds: “Peter McGreevy is always on hand if ever we have a problem. CTM’s only 15 minutes from Old Trafford – it provides a really good service.”