High Usage and Consistent Performance at Accrington Stanley FC

The decision to switch was made ahead of the 2024 season following discussions on performance under high-use conditions. 

“As ever at Accrington, our biggest challenges are usage and the weather,” says Ben Kay, Head Groundsman at Accrington Stanley FC. “We needed a mixture that could perform under stress and recover quickly.” 

Establishment Speed and Early Coverage

Establishment was a key early test. 

“We had superb early establishment and achieved a full pitch within three to four weeks,” says Ben. 

“That gave us the confidence to push ahead with early fixtures and training.” 

Performance Under High Usage 

Once established, the pitch was exposed to a heavy fixture schedule. 

“The stadium hosted around 60 sessions, including first team games, U18s, women’s fixtures and training, as well as Blackburn Rovers U23 matches and international games,” he explains. 

“Teams like Lyon, Benfica and Bilbao all commented on the quality of the pitch.” 

Ben Kay – Head Groundsman at Accrington Stanley FC

Recovery and Winter Performance

Through the season, maintaining coverage under pressure was critical. 

“Even during peak periods of use, we’ve been able to maintain grass cover,” says Ben. 

“Coverage has been consistent across both seasons. It gives us strong colour in the summer and a resilient plant through the winter that recovers quickly after games.” 

Pitch of the Season Recognition

The consistency of performance was recognised during the 2024/25 season. 

“The 2024/25 season saw us awarded Pitch of the Season, which was a huge achievement for the club and reflects the work put in by the grounds team,” says Ben.