As the completion of the home of England’s football future — the National Football Centre near Rangemore — grows ever nearer, the race is on to make sure that everything is ready for its proposed summer opening.
But away from the building and construction work, one man and his small team are working hard to make sure Wayne Rooney and co have the best pitches and training surfaces to aid their attempt to achieve football immortality.
Reporter ROB SMYTH met with head groundsman Alan Ferguson for an in-depth chat about his role in shaping St George’s Park.
PURELY and simply this is the crown jewel in my profession” were the words purred in a deep Scottish drawl as Alan Ferguson leant back in his chair beaming with pride at the huge job he is currently undertaking.
The 51-year-old took time out from his work to speak in his soon-to-berenovated maintenance shed just metres away from a wide variety of expensive looking equipment that will be used to create and maintain the hallowed turf which will be graced by the elite of English football.
He continued: “This is a massive opportunity and I am honoured to have been handed the role.
“Before this I was head groundsman at Ipswich Town Football Club but I moved on as I thought that I had taken the club as far as I could and while I loved every single minute, I was openly looking for a new challenge.”
During his 12 seasons at the Suffolk club Mr Ferguson scooped a wide variety of awards including being named Groundsman of the Year.
He added: “I had been looking to leave Ipswich for around 18 months but in my trade there are only 92 head groundsman jobs going in the country.
“When I was looking three came up — at Coventry, Plymouth and Arsenal.
“There was also some hope of working for UEFA (European football’s governing body) in some role.
“I had known of the National Football Centre for some time and had been to the site and had a look a few times. It was obvious the site and plans had enormous potential.
“I also knew my next move would be my last one, so had to be the right one.
“I was sad to leave — stuff like the dayto- day chats with the players, listening and learning from them and what they wanted from the pitch at Portman Road.
“But since arriving at St George’s Park this has been replicated with the Burton Albion players who use the centre. It is nice to have the banter.”
Alan first crossed the border from Scotland in 1996 after leaving Scottish Premier League giants Rangers.
He is currently staying in Church Gresley and returns to his home in Ipswich at the weekends.
He is a father to three sons — twin boys who are at university and an older son who is currently one of the ground staff at Premier League side Tottenham.
He added: “I feel like I am part of a new family now — looking after the pitches which will be graced by the national team and all of the offshoots from it — trying to replicate a stadium environment here in Rangemore.
“At the minute the staff consists of me plus two others, but by early April I expect to have a team of around 11. We are currently interviewing to fill the vacancies.
“We look after 350 acres — 12 pitches — all at elite level.
“We also expect to be looking after some of the landscaping after the centre’s completion.
“It is a big honour, I am proud and this is the jewel in the crown of my profession and my career.
“In terms of potential I just don’t mean this year in getting it up and running and started — during the next three or four years, what we can establish and achieve here is breathtaking and I am lucky to be a part of it.”
With players such as Wayne Rooney and John Terry set to play on the pitches, Alan has his work cut out to make sure that they match the conditions the players will encounter while playing friendly and competitive fixtures at Wembley.
He said: “I often visit Wembley and speak to the ground staff there.
“I have to make sure the pitches here are exactly the same as they are there. Mirror it almost.
“I want to know how Joe Hart wants the turf, how the wide men want it, etc. It has to be just right to give them a vital tool in their attempts to be the best footballing nation in the world.”
As Alan sat astride his industrial-sized lawnmower, it was obvious he is filled with pride and also aware of the monumental task that he has undertaken.
Despite the project being mothballed for years, it is obvious from a quick scan of the area that the centre will be an excellent addition to the football community and will help plant Burton firmly on the footballing map.
As we speak, I believe that the majority of people in Burton, East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire do not fully grasp or realise the enormity of what is being constructed just miles away.
Coaches and players at all levels and ages will be nurtured and developed. Careers made. Future stars set along a path to super stardom.
This is why having people like Alan Ferguson is a massive boost and a must for St George’s Park.
“People don’t know how big this project is, how big it is going to be and just how important it is to the future of English football. It is an honour to be involved and I will work my hardest to make sure that we offer the best we can to some of the best players in the world.
“As this is my last job, I hope to leave a legacy and be a small part of helping to build an institution in football that will last for years.”
