This year’s #GroundsWeek (February 28 - March 6) is about celebrating the hard work and tireless efforts made by grounds staff at stadia across the country.
To mark the second anniversary of the week-long awareness campaign from the Grounds Management Association, we spoke to members of Watford’s grounds staff – Jason Horwood, 29, (above left) who is a Groundsman, and Marcus Lilley, 32, (above right), who is the Senior Groundsman.
The GMA is encouraging more people to work outdoors in sectors like grounds management or horticulture. New research, that coincides with the important week, has found high levels of job satisfaction and fulfilment amongst grounds staff and volunteers.
Combined, Jason and Marcus have over 27 years of experience in the industry, and they have both enjoyed successful careers at Vicarage Road. In celebration of Grounds Week, they gave us an insight into their roles as part of the team behind the scenes.
Marcus said: “I saw the advert in 2016 and one of my friends sent it to me. I applied, and the rest is history. I’ve spent four-and-a-half years here and left in October 2020 for family reasons and wanting to be closer to home, which wasn’t an easy decision. Then back in December last year I came back. It’s been like I never left.
“Each day is different and it’s just about producing the best surface we can. The reason I got into it is that I’m a Watford fan and I get to work outdoors at the club that I love, which is great. To maintain and produce that surface that is seen every week is fantastic.”
Jason added: “I originally started in golf course greenkeeping. The attraction to Watford is that I’m a fan. One of the guys who works here now worked with me at my previous job. He said that he was looking to move back to Watford, and I felt it could be an opportunity for me and lucky enough, I got the job. It’s been a dream come true ever since if I’m honest.
“I’m based here at the stadium, and I deal with the day-to-day maintenance of the stadium pitch. It could be anything from the grow-lights on the pitch, to cutting and any general maintenance on a matchday.”
As supporters of the club, Marcus and Jason believe that they have the dream job working at the stadium they love, for the club they hold dear.
“Of course, we remain professional, but when we do score you have to hold it in even if you want to act like a fan,” Jason said.
“You’re there to do your job and during the game when you are watching you do become invested as a fan, but then at half-time you are out doing your job sorting out the pitch.”
The duo agree that one of the best aspects of the job is the team that they both get the privilege to work alongside at The Vic, led by Head Groundsman Scott Tingley.
Jason explained: “I think you can see in the surface we have produced out there that if we weren’t a well-oiled machine there would be bits missing or problems, whereas with a tight-knit team we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We all blend really well, and it shows.
“As much as I don’t want to make Scott’s head explode, it is all down to him and he sets the bar. Since I’ve been here, I don’t think I have learnt and been taught so much by anyone. He has been a really good teacher – he has been a top influencer for me.”
This comradery isn’t just limited to team members at Watford, but other football clubs around the country with many offering solutions to problems.
These challenges are a part of any industry and occasionally arise as part of Marcus and Jason’s duties. The two believe that a key part of being successful as a grounds person is overcoming those tests.
“There aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes to get done what you want to do,” Marcus said.
“Tight deadlines and timescales can be difficult. It’s important to get the pitch prepared in time and to a Premier League standard. When you have a congested fixture list it can take its toll, but we get on and do it for the passion of the job.”
Jason added: “Networking isn’t a problem in our industry. Any problems that people face, they normally look to other clubs for help. It is quite a close-knit relationship between the clubs. We are all out to help each other. If someone is having a problem, we are there to help.”
As a result of their indefatigable work, the grounds staff at Watford have received two awards in recent years - the Premier League Grounds Team of the Season for 2017/18, and the Championship Grounds Team of the Season for 2020/21.
Once those deadlines and challenges have been met, Marcus and Jason appreciate the awards, but nothing quite compares to seeing their favourite team play, on their own pitch.
Marcus said: “It makes you feel really proud, but of course we need to go and do it again. We can’t just rest on that, we need to keep producing and making it the best we can. It can be a very proud moment to see it on TV – it makes it worthwhile.”
Jason agreed, adding: “We were all proud to be a part of those awards. I think it’s a credit to us for maintaining those high standards throughout the years. I’m a lover of taking pictures so if I see the pitch looking amazing then I am the first one to take a picture.
“In this industry and job, you need to take pride in your work otherwise it won’t show out there. The fact we can produce a surface as we have done over the last few years is a credit to all of us.
“The players and staff do compliment us. The opposition appreciate it as well, even against Crystal Palace last month, we heard nothing but plaudits for it. It’s great to hear feedback, even from away sides. It is always pleasing to hear that your efforts are working.”
Recently, Jason has decided to call time on his job at Watford and is currently in the process of moving to pastures new. Marcus experienced the process of leaving Vicarage Road previously when he departed back in 2020 and one aspect is for certain – leaving a job like groundskeeping is extremely difficult due to the bonds you create.
“I’m currently in the process of leaving, which is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Jason said.
“This is my boyhood club, and it has been my dream job. The job is not the reason I’ve left. Your life changes and it was the right time. It wasn’t an easy decision.
“It will be hard as this has been my dream job, and having been a Season Ticket holder for so many years especially. It has been an incredible couple of years at the training ground and here. To have experienced this with these guys has been really amazing.”
On Grounds Week itself, Jason and Marcus are adamant that such awareness campaigns are vital to growing the industry and that the more support it receives, the better.
“Weeks like this are very important,” Jason exclaimed. “As everyone knows the decline in the grounds industry is very real at the moment. Putting it out there and showing off what we do is important because most people don’t realise what we do. When you look behind the scenes, every day is different.”
Marcus added: “Grounds Week is so important in getting everything out in the open and showcasing what we do. Not many people know what we do and it’s really important to get it out there and hopefully get people interested.”
For more information on Grounds Week click HERE.
