Turf star wished a speedy recovery

30 Sep 2017 By David Watters

EVO-STIK League Hednesford Town are looking forward to welcoming their groundsman David Bates back to Keys Park after he undergoes major surgery next week.

The Pitmen sent a good luck message to their green-fingered volunteer, pictured, and thanked him for his work at the EVO-STIK League Premier club's home ahead of the weekend's action as he prepares to go into hospital for transplant surgery.

His wife Val and Phil Raybould are carrying out his duties in his absence and a spokesman said: "Hednesford Town Football Club chairman Steve Price, Keys Park staff and everyone associated with the football club would like to say a huge thank you and good luck to groundsman David Bates as he prepares for transplant surgery next week.

"The pitch has once again been in excellent condition at Keys Park and we look forward to welcoming David back to the ground once he has recovered from his upcoming surgery. In the meantime his wife Val, and Phil Raybould will continue to prepare the pitch for matches."

The Pitmen, 2-1 winners at Ashton United in the top flight on Saturday, are at home to Matlock Town in the EVO-STIK League Premier on Tuesday night.

Image courtesy of hednesfordtownfc.com

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