Binfield’s pitch team quintet is up for a Berkshire Football Award in the category of Grounds Team of the Season.
The nomination we received for the award said: “Binfield FC is incredibly lucky to have a grounds team made up of people who genuinely care about the club and the community around it. Between them, volunteers Lewis Pike, Martin Smith, Dave Harper, Chairman Andy Cotton and Luke Beard put in an unbelievable amount of time, pride and effort to make sure every pitch at Hill Farm Lane is something players of all ages can enjoy.
“Andy is the driving force behind the main pitch. He’s at the club most days, keeping the grass cut, the lines sharp and the surface in top condition. Whether it’s a midweek tidy-up or a last‑minute job before a match, he’s always there making sure Pitch 1 looks like a proper step‑level surface.
“Martin and Lewis take the lead on the junior pitches, and their commitment is just as impressive. They’re the ones out there at 7am on cold Saturday mornings doing pitch inspections, repairing problem areas and putting in countless hours during the week all while juggling their full‑time jobs. As volunteers, they give up huge amounts of their own time to make sure hundreds of young players have safe, well‑kept pitches to play on. Their standards never slip, and it shows every weekend.
“Dave is another key part of the team, stepping in wherever he’s needed and bringing that same pride and consistency to the work. Whether it’s helping with maintenance, supporting inspections or taking on the jobs that keep everything ticking over, he’s a reliable and valued part of the group.
“Luke supports across the board, helping share the workload during the busiest periods and making sure nothing gets missed. From inspections to general maintenance, he’s always ready to jump in and keep things moving.
“What often goes unseen is the time this work takes away from their families. Early mornings, late evenings, and hours spent at the club instead of at home — yet their families understand why they do it. They know it’s for the good of the club, the kids, and the community. That support behind the scenes makes their commitment possible, and it deserves recognition too.
“Between the five of them, they’ve created an environment where players, coaches and parents know they’ll turn up to pitches that are safe, well‑kept and genuinely some of the best around. Their work is often unseen, but it’s absolutely vital to the club and the wider community.
This nomination is a small way of recognising the huge amount of time, effort and heart they put into Binfield FC every single week.”
Agree that the Binfield team should be up for the Grounds Team of the Season award? Or do you have someone else in mind? Let us know in the nomination form below:
