ERIC Cossey is a cut above when it comes to looking after the grass on the sports and recreation fields of the Suffolk Coastal area.For Mr Cossey – who is now looking forward to retirement in September – has just been named the county division Local Authority Groundsman of the Year for the second year running.
By Richard Cornwell
ERIC Cossey is a cut above when it comes to looking after the grass on the sports and recreation fields of the Suffolk Coastal area.
For Mr Cossey – who is now looking forward to retirement in September – has just been named the county division Local Authority Groundsman of the Year for the second year running.
He also took third place in the East Midlands and East Anglia regional local authority competition run by the Football Association and the Institute of Groundsmanship.
"Sports teams across the district have been able to play on award-winning pitches thanks to Eric Cossey and his team who well deserve this latest accolade for their sterling efforts throughout the year," said Robert Whiting, Suffolk Coastal council cabinet member for direct services and personnel.
"Eric has picked up this award for turning out excellent quality football pitches, but he is also responsible for a host of surfaces for other sports like rugby and cricket, while also keeping an eye on some flowerbeds.
"This is another big thumbs-up for Suffolk Coastal and its workers who are providing efficient top quality services.
"Eric will be retiring in September after over 14 years with Suffolk Coastal and he has set a tough standard for his team to match.
"He has been passing on some of his tips onto our apprentice Kieron Beresford who hopefully will be able to apply some of Eric's magic to our pitches and parks for years to come."
It is only the second year that the competition has been held. It aims to put the spotlight on councils who are premiership class when it comes to providing football pitches for their local teams.
The judges not only inspected local pitches but also met with Mr Cossey to find out more about what is done to maintain the quality of the playing surfaces.
Factors taken into account included the number and frequency of games, standards of maintenance, and fertilising.
Eric and his team are responsible for 16 football pitches – 12 adult and four junior – as well as two cricket wickets and outfields, two hockey pitches, two grass tennis courts and one rugby pitch across the district.
WEBLINKS: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
www.iog.org
www.thefa.com
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