Greenhous Meadow best pitch in League 1
Shrewsbury Town FC are delighted to announce that The Greenhous Meadow pitch has been named the best playing surface in the Sky Bet League 1.The prestigious Football League awards recognise the importance of the quality of pitches for professional football and acknowledge those head groundsmen and their staff who consistently produce the best playing surfaces in The Football League.
All pitches in the Football League are given ratings by the officials and visiting teams throughout the season.
Colchester United, Sheffield United and Shrewsbury Town were shortlisted and recently judged by the Sports Turf Research Institute and it was the Greenhous Meadow which came out top in League 1.
At the end of last season Maxwell Amenity Ltd took over responsibility for the upkeep of the Shrewsbury Town pitch and the award is deserved recognition for the improvement of the playing surface.
Throughout the season and during one of the wettest winters on record, visiting teams have commented about the excellent and consistent playing surface at the Greenhous Meadow.
Dave Saltman, managing director of Maxwell Amenity Ltd, is proud that the pitch has come out top in League 1.
“In June last year we took on the contract for Shrewsbury Town’s stadium and training pitches and embarked on a programme of nutrition and balanced biology to turn a poor stadium surface around”, said Dave.
“In ten months we now have a pitch that has responded well to our hard work and endeavour and to be nominated and then win this award is the icing on the cake.
“The award is great for my company (Maxwell Amenity Ltd) but also testament to the hard work and long hours that my contracts team, particularly Richard Barnett and Sam Ridgway have put in to get the surface to the quality that we all strive for.”
Brian Caldwell, Shrewsbury Town's CEO, has been impressed with the improvements to the playing surface.
“We are absolutely delighted that Dave and his team have won this award on behalf of the Football Club, there is no doubt the quality of the surface provided for the players on match day is second to none”, said Brian.
“We have had compliments from all opposing teams throughout the season which reflects well not just on his company but also Shrewsbury Town FC.”