Just five weeks ago the Spotland surface was going through the final stages of its summer renovation with 'dimple' seed being scattered onto the laser-levelled, fibre-sanded surface.
Today that landscape has been totally transformed into a lush green football pitch and Spotland's head groundsman Phil Collinson is delighted with the fruits of his team's labour.
"I'm really happy with the pitch to say we have only had five weeks to get it to this stage is remarkable really.Obviously I would have liked to have a few weeks more growth but at this stage we couldn't ask for more," said Phil.
Spotland just five weeks ago
"Technology has moved on in the last ten years with all sorts of enhancements for the surface and root structures and that helps bring pitches on in the crucial first weeks.We have had a couple of issues with the sprinklers but nothing out of the ordinary and touch wood, it has been the best renovation period we have had.
"The weather has been great and has been a big factor in where we are right now.We have sunshine when the heavy plant was going up and down, it was dry when all the work we needed to do was done so we never lost a day in the preparation and since then we've had warm, wet weather - ideal growing conditions."
Like most things in life preparation is the key to a successful outcome and this summer the foundations for the Spotland pitch are the best Phil has had laid, as he explains.
"The root zone is now fibre-sand and is reinforced and you should see the difference this will make during the course of the season.Even when you walk on it right now it feels a lot firmer and it is the best foundation we have ever had so it really should help us this year.
"Hopefully the winter will be kinder because it was a hard one last time.You tend to get one 'freakish' winter in 20 years so we won't get any more like last year for a bit.Just getting games on was an achievement but the cold weather did have a massive effect on the pitch right up to the end of the season.This time the pitch will be a lot better going into winter and it should be a lot better coming out of it."
Spotland today - lovely
