Notorious surface now pitch perfect

11 Jul 2016 By David Watters

EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Leek Town say groundsman Chris Hermiston is a happy man.

After more than four decades of toil and graft preparing the Harrison Park pitch for the new EVO-STIK NPL First Division South season, the veteran groundsman has enjoyed a relatively easy summer to date on the previously notorious surface.

Hermiston is benefitting from the new surface that was laid just 12-months ago at a cost of around £85,000 and is looking immaculate having withstood recent torrential rain over the last two weeks. Proud Blues officials say a new irrigation system fed by an underground tank using reclaimed water is now also fully operational as the Blues go green.

A club spokesman said: "He has now declared himself satisfied with the way the pitch has bedded in despite a problem area just below and infield from the away dug-out."

A native of Middlesbrough, Hermiston moved to Leek with his parents in 1959 and began watching Blues in 1972 when Paul Ogden was manager.

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Where next?

Thompson set for speedy return Ramsbottom United's joint managers Paul Fildes and Mark Fell have signed central defender Luke Thompson from Nelson for the upcoming EVO-STIK Northern Premier League campaign.