Head Groundsman - Mark Panter (Pants) - MDP Groundcare

All things unofficial about AFC Rushden & Diamonds and general football talk.
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Dazzler
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Head Groundsman - Mark Panter (Pants) - MDP Groundcare

Post by Dazzler »

The New Year’s Day match will be the last match for Mark Panter (MarkyP/Pants) as our Head Groundsman.

He’s moving on to a new full time role come the new year working with a local firm that does general estate & grounds maintenance for local firms and sites.

He will still be available for advice, guidance and perhaps the odd match cover, and line marking etc.. outside of his normal new full time weekly job.

We’re already in the process of speaking to a few local firms to take on the prime role of looking after the pitch on a more weekly basis for both clubs, supplemented by myself and other volunteers as always - and we have cover into January currently.

I first spoke to Mark up at Raunds in around Apri/May 2016, when we asked if he was interested in looking after the DnD for us, as both Mark Hedges and myself had got other commitments taking up more time/travel etc. We also spoke to a few other local suppliers at the time too.

Mark was originally a groundsman at Nene Park (I have a pic somewhere with him and Rod - Head Steward in it),. where he looked after all the various pitches, and estate shrubs etc, later moving on to Luton Town for a number of years as well as various golf courses in the area.

At the time we spoke he happened to be in the process of looking to go full time as a groundsman (alongside his garden maintenance work - MDP Groundcare) so the timing was good, and after he started with us in June 2016, he was also looking after Burton Park (KTFC & BPWFC), Hayden Road (RHUFC), Kiln Park (Raunds Town), and of course the Dog and Duck (AFCRD & WTFC).

Mark’s role was to take care & own responsibility for of ALL aspects of the pitch inside the barrier (organizing and working with external contractors for specialist works where equipment needed - renovations, top dressing, applying treatments, overseeding, summer watering!, cutting, strimming etc etc.. the list is long and varied. Also including mechanical repairs & mods as needed too.

He also did weed spraying & strimming outside the pitch area when required, and helped on a number of the various DIY projects at the stadium too.

I think most people will agree he’s done a great job on improving and maintaining the pitch state and condition as much as possible at this level, and budget over the last 5+ years, first at the Dog and Duck and then at Hayden Road.

As with many groundsmen he will always try to get the pitch for the best condition to allow matches to go ahead for any side that plays on the pitch, and will advise if conditions are not suitable from a safety perspective.

All the best to Mark in his new job, and am sure we’ll still see him around the ground at times over the coming years - even if it’s the other side of the fence for once.

Other than players, management and match officials - he also gets a lifetime pitch access pass :-) “Keep Off the Pitch!” - A groundsman’s favourite phrase - but with good reason.

@ Hayden Road
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KeepOff.jpg
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@ DnD
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KeepOffPokemonDnD.png (552.18 KiB) Viewed 1036 times


And the same rules at the old place :-)

KeepOffNP.JPG
KeepOffNP.JPG (96.29 KiB) Viewed 1036 times
Dazzler
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Re: Head Groundsman - Mark Panter (Pants) - MDP Groundcare

Post by Dazzler »

PitchAug2021.jpg
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therushden
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Re: Head Groundsman - Mark Panter (Pants) - MDP Groundcare

Post by therushden »

Best of luck in your new venture MrP.
Dale Roberts. England's number 1.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds - Member No: 50
Beezus Fafoon
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Re: Head Groundsman - Mark Panter (Pants) - MDP Groundcare

Post by Beezus Fafoon »

RIP Pants.
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Re: Head Groundsman - Mark Panter (Pants) - MDP Groundcare

Post by gibston »

All the best pants. Good luck with the fresh start mate.
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