As groundstaff, we’ve heard our fair share of jokes and banter about the profession. But the recent comments made on The Bench podcast by Jon Wilkin and Sam Tomkins overstep the line. What started as light-hearted humour about the care we put into our pitches progressed into a number of careless and disrespectful comments, diminishing the importance of what we do and who we are.
The video clip below is a cut from the Sky Sports RL ‘Off the bench’ podcast.
Featuring Sam Tomkins (Left), Jack Welsby (Center) and Jon Wilkin (Right)
Wilkin’s remark that groundsmen are “weird” and “psychopathic” paints the picture that people working in our profession are inherently “uncool.” It’s easy to laugh off the image of someone obsessing over a patch of grass, but the reality is that this image discourages people from considering groundskeeping as a serious, rewarding career. We’re already a small community, and comments like these only serve to push more potential groundsmen away. At a time when recruitment in our field is challenging, this is the last thing we need.
The problem with these kinds of comments is that they encourage people to devalue the role of groundsmen and make jokes at our expense. While we can take a joke, it gets tiring to hear the same old comments from football fans—a common one is “Oh, they just cut grass”, followed by something along the lines of, “They’ve got it easy”.
Actually, it takes a huge amount of passion and dedication to ensure the pitch is perfect for every game. And I would argue that there’s something very “cool” about being the person who prepares the stage for a team’s performance, ensuring that the pitch is in pristine condition so players can perform at their best. We’re not just cutting grass; the quality of the pitch directly impacts the experience of the players and fans alike, and many people don’t realise the importance of our role in ensuring this.
The work we do requires extensive knowledge of the science of turf management and the specific needs of our stadium. Every detail matters, and the pride we take in our work is not about being “precious” but about striving for the best possible result in a job that demands it.
Wilkin’s joke about the groundsman scowling at him for walking across the pitch in trainers misses the point. The pitch is a carefully maintained surface that has to withstand incredible wear and tear. When 30 athletes, who are generally heavier and more powerful than the average person, are about to charge onto the pitch, every precaution is necessary to ensure that the surface holds up. It’s not about being obsessive; it’s about being responsible.
There was an opportunity in that podcast to turn a joke into something positive. Imagine if, instead of ridiculing groundsmen, Wilkin and Tomkins had taken a moment to highlight the importance of our work, perhaps even encouraging young fans to take an interest in what we do. The role of a groundsman is a chance to be a part of something bigger—to contribute to the sport we all love, even if our dreams of playing for the team are long behind us!
So yes, have a laugh about our love for the perfect pitch. But let’s keep the respect for groundsmen, and please don’t refer to us as “psychopathic.” We’re skilled, passionate, and proud of what we do.