SUFFOLK FA staged a successful Grounds Event in conjunction with Ipswich Town FC.

More than 20 grounds staff attended the event held at Ipswich Town’s Playford Road Training Ground on Friday.

Adrian Kersey of Ernest Doe talking during his demonstration 

 The event coincided with Grounds Week 2025, which is organised by the Grounds Management Association and is an annual nationwide celebration of the people behind the scenes who make playing surfaces and green spaces look and perform their best.

The day began with demonstrations from Adrian Kersey of Ernest Doe, and Phil Self of Iseki UK, who are both local agents for Jacobsen Ltd.

Phil Self of Iseki UK talking during his demonstration

These were followed by a demonstration by Danny White and Sam Baker of GroundTech of a robotic mower, before Mark and Matthew Harrod of MH Goals spoke about their goals.

Olly Boys of Duralock gave a talk about their different types of high-performance fencing system for sports and leisure facilities.

Sam Thompson of Replay Maintenance finished the morning session with a demonstration of how they maintain synthetic sports surfaces.

Danny White of GroundTech demonstrates their robotic mower

After a break for lunch and the opportunity to network, Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings spoke about how to access funding opportunities.

Phil Kime of the Grounds Management Association then gave a demonstration before the day finished with Ipswich Town Grounds Manager Ben Connell giving a guided tour of the training ground.

Beccles Town FC groundsman Shaun Soloman said: “It’s been a fantastic day. The highlight for me was talking to Ben Connell and picking his brains.”

Matthew Harrod (left) and Mark Harrod (right) of MH Goals talking during their demonstration

Mike Powles of Walsham-le-Willows FC said: “It is always informative coming to an event such as this and you always learn something new.

“Listening to Ben Connell and the depth that professional grounds staff now go into to look after their pitches is unbelievable.”

Danny White of GroundTech said: “Book us in for next year! It was good to see some new faces attending and how things are evolving.

Olly Boys (far left) of Duralock talking to the grounds staff

“Ben Connell must have one of the best CV’s among grounds staff in British football because of being at a club that has risen from League One to the Championship and then Premier League so quickly.”

Ben Connell said: “Today’s event shows the enthusiasm for maintaining good quality football pitches from grassroots to professional level.

“This is a great community to be a part of and it was pleasing to see both old and new faces taking part today.”

Sam Thompson (far left) of Replay Maintenance talking during his demonstration

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings said: “This event is now a much looked forward to on the Suffolk FA calendar.

“Now in its second year, the event gives ground staff and partners the chance to work together to improve Suffolk’s grass pitches.

Phil Kime of the Grounds Management Association during his demonstration

“A huge thanks to ITFC and all the partners and Suffolk ground staff.”

If you want to learn more about improving your own grass pitches and funding, please contact Matt Stebbings via email matt.stebbings@suffolkfa.com

Ipswich Town FC Grounds Manager Ben Connell (facing camera) talking during the tour of the Playford Road Training Ground