Confidence in Contractor makes Kestrel Chelsea's choice

By Ellie Tait

Chelsea's new Head Groundsman Jason Griffin didn't hesitate to consult Kestrel Golf & Sports when the time came to returf at Stamford Bridge. A rare three-week window in the match schedule in January provided an ideal opportunity to lift the existing surface and lay 40mm turf before allowing it sufficient time to bed-in.

Jason has worked with Kestrel for more than 15 years at Chelsea at both the main stadium and at the Club's training ground, so when he took the decision to returf four months into his new role as Head Groundsman, they were the obvious choice. "When you're returfing, especially at such a crucial point in the season, you have to have confidence in your contractor and in the turf that they're supplying. There's no room for error and you don't want any nasty surprises. The job went smoothly and I'm really pleased with how the turf's performing.

It was laid in the five days and in my opinion was immediately playable. After letting it bed in for two weeks, the first team trained on the pitch and there wasn't a mark on it." Kestrel has also recently returfed the goalmouths at the Clubs training ground using Lokturf, which uniquely uses crimped fibres to produce a superior interlock between fibres, sand and roots giving greater stability and a shock absorbing effect.