Getting Personal with Rob Bennett
Who are you? Robert Bennett, Head Groundsman at Rochdale AFC.
Family status? Married; one wife, one son, one daughter, one labrador.
Who's your hero and why? Ian Botham, because he did things on the cricket field others could only dream of.
What would you change about yourself? More hair, more patience.
What's your guilty pleasure? There is not enough room on the paper; where do I start? Nuts, especially peanuts, Haribos, Snickers, red wine and anything else that's bad for you.
What's been the highlight of your career so far? Being nominated for groundsman of the year in my last job and, of course, getting the position of head groundsman at Spotland.
What are your pet peeves? Rudeness, bad manners and players leaving tape on the pitch.
If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be? Australia.
… and the worst? Rain/weather, putting the frost covers on and taking them off and putting them and taking them off; this happens often in Rochdale!
Do you have a lifetime ambition? To be head groundsman at a first class cricket club, Lancashire would be nice (sorry Matt).
Favourite record, and why? I Predict A Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs, so many good memories.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? I have to say my wife as she is typing this for me but, if I could choose anyone, it would have to be Nigella, innuendos and all.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Book a ticket to go to Australia.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? A fiddle, because plenty a good tunes are played on an old one.
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? Ian Botham, because he was the greatest cricketer ever, Freddie Flintoff, the second best English all rounder ever, and Ricky Ponting, again a great cricketer, but we need someone to take the mickey out of and Aussies are always an easy target.
If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why? Ian Botham again, because he knew how to enjoy himself, on and off the field!
Do you have any bad habits? Oh yes. can't publish many, but I do smell everything and, if in the company of people I don't like, I just ignore them; rude, I know, but if I don't like them, I don't like them! I can also be too honest.
... or any good ones? Hard working, always trying to encourage others.
Do you go to bed worrying about the next day's workload? Yes, you wouldn't be a good groundsman if you didn't.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? Listen to advice given to you, but always make your own decisions.
What's your favourite smell? A good, full bodied red wine and my wife's baking.
What do you do in your spare time? Play cricket and spend time with friends and family.
What's the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? Is the sight screen there to stop the sun going in to your eyes?
What's your favourite piece of kit? Toro ProCore, if I had one (please Colin).
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Loving, honest and funny.
What talent would you like to have? Ian Botham's.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? For a head groundsman to be able to call off games.