Shay pitch undergoing annual resurfacing

Calderdale Council’s sports services manager, Gary Byrnes, said: “The annual maintenance pitch works at the Shay started on June 6 in readiness for the first fixture in the new playing season on July 17.

“Work taking place includes reseeding, dressing and fertilising; this is routine end of season work, to remove poor grass growth and combat any problems below the top surface.

“This maintenance also provides the period of rest that grass surfaces require to ensure they remain as healthy as possible.

“Along with last year’s investment in the pitch drainage system, this work should make further significant improvements in the quality and reliability of the surface over the coming year.”

New drains were installed under the surface last summer while a state-of-the-art sprinkler system was also put in place.

A grid system of drains running every half-a-metre were laid, with an additional 200 metres of 40mm drain-lines linking into the existing network.”