For much of the second half of last season, the pitch was sandy and bobbly, bringing derision from opposition managers and Rovers players alike.
But Baldwin insists head groundsman Andy Thompson could have done no more to improve the state of the playing surface, labeling him ‘as good as it gets.’
And he revealed the club have stumped up the cash to help Thompson deliver one of the best pitches in the country.
Under advisement from an expert from the FA’s premier training facility St George’s Park, almost £50,000 has been spent this summer.
“The expert carried out tests, came back and said Andy had given us the best possible pitch he could in view of the weather and the usage of the pitch.
“His conclusion was we couldn’t wish for a better groundsman.
“The pitch was flatter than any other one they’d measured before and that was the thing Andy was in control of.
“He’s as good as it gets.
“£17,000 was spent to make the pitch look good for TV for the Women’s FA Cup final with the FA spending £12,000.
“We were told the pitch would be ok if we left it at that but if we spent another £30,000 then we’d have a pitch as good as any in the country.
“We spent that money and the results are already starting to show.
“It’s got another six weeks of growth but we’re absolutely confident by the start of the season it’ll be absolutely spot on.
Source: Donny Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
