WBAFC's Ground Manager Bob Wood met with Manchester City's Head Groundsman Lee Jackson and Ground Manager Roy Rigby at Horwich Park last Thursday afternoon.  The DCFA have chosen Bob as their county wide nomination to go forward into the final stages of the FA's national Groundsman of the Year Award'

Lee and Roy made Whaley their last visit of the day after having also inspected grounds as far afield as Nottingham and Northampton earlier that day and after a rigorous inspection of the pitch they grilled Bob to complete a comprehensive questionnaire..... but didn't give anything away. 

They admitted that the criteria is somewhat subjective because whilst some pitches get very little wear and tear others like Whaley's is subject to a high volume of games and so to simply compare the surface isn't the only measure of success; other criteria includes the level of dedication, knowledge and expenditure.

The process isn't finished yet so we will have to wait and see where Bob comes in their estimation at this natioinal level. 

Fingers crossed Bob!