OVF feature: Long-serving head groundsman Steve Speed to leave Vale Park

[mr.hobblesworth]

Has he ever had a testimonial?

[Phil500]

Speedy has worked wonders with the pitch. Look at some of the pictures from the Rudge era. Only grass sometimes was in the goal nets. When the Railway was standing the walkway at the front was lower and pipes from the pitch used to drain at the front.Where does that water drain now ?. We have been told for years about the clay subsoil. Also the frost protection covers are not very effective.

They should put a statue up to Speedy. He will probably be working at Clayton Wood, another well known bog due to the River Trent on twice as much money. Before you start he has to earn a wage.

[Tommy McLarens Boots]

Over the last 40 odd years, owners, managers, coaches and players have all come and gone, but the one position that has remained constant is that of  groundsman. Unlike some others, Speedy will be greatly missed.

[bobbymanc]

First and foremost we are a sports club, and the playing surface has to be fit for purpose. 

 

We've not kept up with the times, be it through lack of investment (or taking the cheap option). It's time to recognise that skimping on the playing surface is not an option. In terms of the ground it has to be a top priority. In our case that seems to include fresh eyes from a new head groundsman.

[WV]

1 hour ago, Jgpvfc said:

Right but how does that compare to the other clubs at our level? It’s not as if our facilities are the worst in the league. We, like many other clubs just don’t have the money to spend on the stadium etc. it’s been like that for as long as I can remember. 

I thought we just spent £1.2m on the stadium

[Stamfordvale]

Wonder how many fork handles he's had ?

[valiant_593]

3 hours ago, Jgpvfc said:

Out of interest how bad do you think our facilities compare to other clubs of our size? I’d like to wager that ours are no worse or better. 
 

They said facilities in term of the pitch is / was worse. (Speedy said this himself) ours being a soil pitch as opposed to sand / clay. Not sure if it’s different now. 

1 hour ago, WV said:

I thought we just spent £1.2m on the stadium

Wasn’t referring to stadium just the pitch. 

Interestingly looks like Speedy is going to Stoke…. Can’t be that bad then. 

[LancyTony]

50 minutes ago, Stamfordvale said:

Wonder how many fork handles he's had ?

4 candles?

[Central Scrutinizer]

4 hours ago, Brian Johnson said:

Strange how they have gone with an old interview from Steve Speed and not got any current quotes from him

He did not wish to comment when approached by The Sentinel.

[Sandyford_Lion]

4 hours ago, eh up nah said:

I imagine the only way a new person would improve the pitch, whether that be in its existing guise or a new pitch, would be through some pretty serious investment.

How much investment has the pitch seen in speedy's time?

Perhaps a new modern pitch is coming. New man and new ideas are needed ?

Good luck Speedie. You have done us proud for all those years. Thanks.

[smithie]

6 hours ago, WV said:

 91 other league clubs seem to do a better job in the winter.  

Like Salford back in February?

[The French Connection]

1 hour ago, LancyTony said:

4 candles?

He's had the same broom for 43 years!  You know the sketch... 

[eh up nah]

1 hour ago, Sandyford_Lion said:

Perhaps a new modern pitch is coming. New man and new ideas are needed ?

Good luck Speedie. You have done us proud for all those years. Thanks.

Perhaps.

Seems odd to me.

I bet Speedie would have loved to have had the boost of some decent investment.

Maybe they don't want him to be the one spending it and want their own man in?

Maybe I'm overthinking it and Speedie has simply had enough after so long.

[The French Connection]

11 hours ago, eh up nah said:

Perhaps.

Seems odd to me.

I bet Speedie would have loved to have had the boost of some decent investment.

Maybe they don't want him to be the one spending it and want their own man in?

Maybe I'm overthinking it and Speedie has simply had enough after so long.

If he is going to Sjoke, there could be a mix of reasons.  Mates with the blue one, fed up of our pitch, disagrees with how we want to replace, been offered a lot of money by Sjoke, the Sjoke job will be a lot easier, he's feeling his age and wants a cushier number to finish off his career.... 

[geoff1]

chewings fescue and brown top bent a packet of each as a leaving gift! 😄😁