Refs Impressed With Tannadice Turf

Dundee United`s groundsman, Albert Dawson, has been rewarded for his efforts at the IOG Scottish Professional Football Groundsman of the Year awards.

The Institute of Groundsmanship holds the awards annually, with a shortlist being made up based on reports from referees on the state of football pitches all over the country.

Groundsmen are then graded according to available resources, presentation and technical knowledge.

The hallowed Tannadice turf was nominated in the "Best Pitch" category, with Albert Dawson coming in runner-up to Celtic`s groundsman John Hayes.

Alex Millar, national chairman of the IOG, commented: 'The high standard of groundsmanship at football stadia throughout the country has again been highlighted by the Groundsman of the Year awards."

He continued 'The IOG strives to ensure that the skill of groundsmen is increasingly recognised by a wider audience, and the achievements of professionals like John Hayes are perfect adverts for the industry.'

You might think this sounds like a boring topic, but since many of us end up watching the grass grow at Tannadice on Saturday afternoons, you might have to give guys like Albert Dawson and John Hayes a bit of credit for giving us something to do at the weekend when the football isn`t up to much!

Congratulations Albert - but no slacking now!!!!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.