The skills, attributes and experience of AFC Bournemouth’s Head of Grounds
In a bid to encourage young people to consider a career in groundskeeping, we’ve written articles on how to enter the industry, what types of roles there are within the sector and some of the traditional routes in. But what about a non-traditional entry – what does that look like and, perhaps equally as important for many football fans, how can you get one of the top jobs at a Premier League football club?
Ian Lucas is in charge of the team that maintains the pitches at AFC Bournemouth’s £36 million Performance Centre.
Here we talk to Ian Lucas, Head of Grounds at AFC Bournemouth, about his career path and the characteristics and skills demonstrated at each stage that contributed to his success.
Ian Lucas
Head of Grounds, AFC Bournemouth
From art to turf
At school, Ian excelled in art and had ambitions to become a graphic designer. When those plans didn’t work out, he pivoted and took on an unpaid role for two months at a golf course which set him on the path to where he is now. It was a gamble that paid off – the quality of his work was quickly recognised, and he was offered a full-time position, which he held for three years.
What’s the take-away?
From the beginning of his work life, Ian set an example that shows how having the flexibility to move according to where the opportunities are can pay off. His willingness to volunteer to get his foot in the door demonstrates strong self-motivation, determination and grit. Starting at the bottom wasn’t easy but it showed initiative and commitment which have held him in good stead since.
Building experience across turfcare environments
With his foot in the door of the turfcare industry, Ian was proactive and set about honing his craft and developing skills in turf maintenance, pitch preparation and grounds management across different settings. He spent time at another golf club, an independent school, and a professional football club – Southampton FC for three years.
What’s the take-away?
Ian’s willingness to diversify and learn – absorbing all he could about turfcare for different surfaces, settings and sports – helped build a broad base of turf-management skills and provided a solid foundation as he progressed in his career.
Ian makes strategic decision on the machinery used to cut more efficiently according to European regulations and meet the Premier League standards in place for all pitches.
Joining AFC Bournemouth and rising to Head of Grounds
Having built a broad base of experience, Ian moved to AFC Bournemouth in 2018. His role covered the maintenance of multiple sites – the main stadium (Vitality Stadium) and training grounds – and saw him taking charge of turf quality, pitch presentation and selecting/managing machinery and seed/grass regimes. In his role of Head of Grounds, he was also responsible for staff and operations leadership of a team of seven.
What’s the take-away?
The journey from smaller-scale groundskeeping provides a wide skill base, practical experience and continuous learning which have helped with adapting to stadium-level turf demands as progression was made into a high-responsibility role.
Hands-on approach and innovation
Under his leadership at Bournemouth, Ian’s attention to detail and critical thinking was seen in his choice of seed, fertilisers and machinery: he revamped the fertiliser regime switching to a controlled-release fertiliser for sand-based pitches to reduce nutrient leaching and improve longevity of turf health and carefully selected his maintenance machinery. When the club needed new turfcare equipment, he led rigorous trials, evaluating the benefits of electric versus petrol, build quality, battery life, performance on damp grass etc. His choices, which include Toro, are what enable him and the team to create pitch-perfect playing surfaces all year round.
What’s the take-away?
Ian didn’t simply ‘stick with what’s always been done,’ but tested options and made selections based on performance, cost, sustainability and long-term pitch health.
One look at Ian’s work will tell you that he has an incredible eye for detail.
Working under pressure
Preparing football stadiums for the eyes of millions each week for much of the year is a stressful job – there is in Ian’s own words “nowhere to hide”. He says: “Our pitches have to look good all the time, it’s a different pressure than all other turf environments. At a golf club for example, if the turf is a bit off in places maybe a few members will notice. We have all eyes on us, week in and week out and the criticism will be that play of the game is being affected by the quality of the pitch. We have to have the pitch playing and looking 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. That’s why you learn to choose and trust your equipment and suppliers – you can’t be let down.”
Leadership in a high-pressure environment is a skill set hard learnt and hard wired. Maintaining elite-level pitches at a professional club with a stadium, training grounds and multiple surfaces demands strategic planning, team coordination and often quick turnarounds (especially around matches). Ian expresses leadership qualities in all he does and leads with example – skills which have been learned at every step throughout his career.
What’s the take-away?
The phrase life is a journey not a race, also applies to careers. Every role provides something valuable if you let it and can be a stepping stone to success.
Still an artist
Ian may not have ended up following his original career path but those in the know will confirm that he is still an artist in his own right. One look at his work will tell you that he has an incredible eye for detail that extends across every aspect of his job.
What’s the take-away?
Even if your career doesn’t go the way you expected, you can still find a way to bring your skills and passions to the role!
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, we’ve covered in detail what a groundsperson does in many settings and environments in a previous article – you can read that here. We hope that this personal account from someone who’s been there and done it will inspire those who may be considering a career in grounds!