Dave Fellowes

@LeagueOne25 Please enlighten me on why the pitch is a state....and what you base your comments on? How many awards have you won, and how long have you been a groundsman? Cheers 👍🏻

The state of the Rotherham United pitch yesterday 🗑️ #rufc

There is no tent this week for @RotherhamUnited, back to the old faithful frost covers. 💪🏻

Fantastic effect from my team over the last 4 day, all @RotherhamUnited staff who helped and @SSStadia for the brilliant service. Went to the wire getting the tent off and all went to plan. Makes it worth it for 3 points and a good performance #rufc

@AlanBiggs1 Thanks @AlanBiggs1 well worth all the hard work and effort, when we get 3 points

Well done to head groundsman Dave & #RUFC for getting their game on. I thought air tents were a (failed) thing of the past. Seem to remember Leicester experimenting with them. But if this one works in this depth of cold then fair play 👏

Tent has done its job. All the snow and ice melted, pitch defrosted. Soil temperature sitting at a steady 4oc. Lads able to work underneath.

Up and running. It's time to get some hot air inside 🥶🥶🥶

And so it starts.... @RotherhamUnited @SSStadia

The pitch at NYS is coming together nicely 🌞🌱

@ben_kay8 I feel your pain mate

Been one of our toughest ever grow ins this pitch Twice it’s been over seeded and the day after we’ve had a torrential downpour and washed the seed out. Finally beginning to move a little but it’s more like March than mid June at the minute

@shane_fergie All the best, pal. Keep in touch 😘

I would like to thank everyone involved with @RotherhamUnited for welcoming me and my family to the club, I have loved my time here. Wishing everyone all the best in the future. 👍

@ben_kay8 The hard work you put in now mate, hopefully you will see the benefit in the winter 👍🏻

Round 2 Sand was drag matted in with the 🚜 And now we go again Hopefully most of the sand will be in the holes after this pass Pass me a 🍺

Day 19 to 23.... all drainage pipes connected to main carrier pipes, rest of chambers fitted. Irrigation upgrades started (new sprinklers/control wires). Hot tubs drained and filled with stone. Secondary drainage started with koro top drain (slow process as lots of break downs.

Sorry for no updates for a while. I've been very busy, loads happening. Day 11 to day 18.... all drains finished cutting out, pipe in/gravel/topped with sand. 300 tonnes of sand applied and some hot tubs dug 🤦‍♂️(very wet areas, could be a spring). Sand power harrowed in.

Day 10.... Lads from @CSportsTurf doing a fantastic job. Drainage channels being cut out. Piped and filled.

Day 9... busy day on and off the field! Levels are starting to take shape. Drainage trenches being cut in, pipe, and gravel back fill. #rufc

Day 8... finally, a dry day! Trenching out main carrier drains, more grading with the lazer grader and a rake to fluff up the surface to aid grading.

Day 7.... heavy rain this morning, made any earth work impossible. So irrigation tank pad concreted and main drainage chamber finished. Hopefully start breaking ground tomorrow and install drain pipe channels.

Day 6.... busy busy busy. Old junction boxes removed, tank pad ready for concrete, old irrigation pipe/control cable removed, laser grading has started. Happy Grounds Manager #rufc

Day 5... sorry for the late update. Meal out with the family and got stuck into the masters with some bevvies. No groundworks today, i let it dry out after yesterday's setback. Level stone for new irrigation tank and started shuttering. Busy day tomorrow, I will post some photos

Day 4..... not a good day. The weather was great, there was good progress but then there were unknown water pipes, and they went through them. Flooding, stress, nightmare, Stella to unwind 🤦‍♂️