Groundsman Carel is pitch perfect at Holwell Sports

Carel Fourie has been named the United Counties League Groundsman of the Year after the Welby Road turf impressed judges.

“It’s a great honour. As a Division One side, winning the award which also includes the Premier Division is a great honour,” said Sports chairman Graham Lewin.

“We’re very proud of our pitch - our whole ground - and the work Carel does is exceptional.

“When opposition teams come to us their first thought is always ‘wow, what a pitch’.”

Mr Fourie - who is aided by Ed Pearson, Bill Harding and Graham Parker - was delighted with the accolade.

“I felt very happy, it was a very proud feeling” he said.

“It’s always nice when the club gets praise for the surface. We work hard to keep the pitch looking nice all the time and if you put in the hard work it pays off and you get your rewards.”

Mr Fourie - a groundskeeper of 14 years - has been with the club for three years and previously worked at Stapleford Park Golf Club.

He describes his job as a ‘passion’ and has been lovingly tending the pitch and the adjacent training area during lockdown.

“We’d be ready to go tomorrow,” he added.

“It wouldn’t be perfect, but we could play football on there now.”

Mr Lewin added: “On the Saturdays we aren’t at home, our academy sides can play on the main pitch.

“As you can imagine, they love it. It’s like playing at Wembley for them.”