Like many in grounds management, he describes himself as someone who “just fell into it.” But what began as curiosity quickly turned into ten years of learning and development.

Today, Chris is our Regional Pitch Advisor for Football in the North East. And just recently, he celebrated one of the proudest moments of his life - graduating from Myerscough College with a first-class honours BSc (Hons) in Sports Turf. But the graduation ceremony held an even bigger surprise.

As he sat among fellow students, his name was read out as the winner of the Ransomes Jacobsen Cup, awarded to the highest-achieving student across all of Myerscough’s sports turf programmes.

“When they read out my name, I was taken back,” Chris says. “Especially when you see the names on the cup, people who have gone on to do great things and have been big influences in the industry.”

It’s a huge milestone for someone who admits he wasn’t the most academic at school and who has spent over a decade balancing study with full-time work, family life and even a music career.

Chris’s first taste of the industry came though landscaping. But a contract at York Community Stadium introduced him to the world of turf care, and he was hooked from there. He joined Pike Hills Golf Club in 2013, determined to build on his knowledge and gain formal, recognised qualifications - which he began in 2015.

“All I wanted to do was go to college, get my apprenticeship and my certifications,” he recalls.

Within just 18 months, he’d completed his Level 2 apprenticeship with Askham Bryan College and, after three years at Pike Hills, was promoted to deputy head greenkeeper - a role he held for four years while progressing straight into a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship, also with Askham Bryan.

After achieving those qualifications, the college invited him back. This time as an employee. He started as an assessor and quickly progressed to Course Manager.

“I wasn’t the type of person to be in a classroom. I didn’t really enjoy school. But I found something I actually had a passion for, and I just wanted to learn more and more.”

Whilst working at Askham Bryan, Chris enrolled on a foundation degree with Myerscough College. And after completing that, the opportunity arose to join the GMA - a role he took with “open arms”. At the same time, he continued his studies moving straight into a bachelor’s degree, meaning he went from Level 2 all the way to Level 6 without a single break in learning.

“I’d like to pass on my genuine thanks to the fantastic tutors I’ve met along the way at both Askham Bryan and Myerscough University Centre - none of this would have been possible without them.”

But balancing work and study was already a challenge. Adding family life made it even tougher. His daughter was born during his foundation degree, and many nights were spent studying into the early hours while keeping one ear on the baby monitor.

“Late nights, sat up till three, four in the morning… I literally had the baby monitor next to me whilst I was studying,” he says.

Even during the hardest times, Chris stayed motivated by the belief that education would create new opportunities - not just for himself, but for the grassroots clubs he works with through the GMA.

“Joining the GMA was a key driver in pushing me beyond what I thought I could do. When I finished school, I’d never in a million years have thought I could have gone on and done what I’ve done. But this has proved to me that I can.

“For my dissertation, I looked at the impacts that the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund was having on the community, which received a first-class mark. Being involved in the community and seeing the difference this funding makes really drove me on.”

Alongside his studies and work, Chris leaned on one particular hobby to help him stay grounded: music.

A talented drummer since the age of 11, he plays in an Oasis tribute band and has supported well-known artists like The Fratellis, Glasvegas, Dodgy and Mystery Jets. He’s even played in venues that have hosted acts such as the Human League, Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian.

During the most intense periods of his studies, drumming became his way of coping with the pressure.

“I used to call it a blowout,” he explains. “A weekend of playing a couple of gigs, catching up with people…then back into it. The drumming has kept me very sane. It’s my mental health release.”

Chris still keeps multiple drum kits at home, three acoustic kits for live shows and an electric kit for quieter practice. His wife often jokes about why he needs so many but, for Chris, music is an essential way to reset and keep perspective on life.

When graduation day arrived, Chris made the early-morning journey, surrounded by his family, feeling proud just to be collecting his degree. But the day became even more special when his name was called for the Ransomes Jacobsen Cup.

“It kind of gives you a little bit of imposter syndrome because you think, am I really capable of delivering at that level? But obviously I have. I’m absolutely shocked, but over the moon as well.”

Looking back, Chris acknowledges that many people in the industry feel unsure about taking that first step into education. He’s been there himself.

“Every day is a learning curve, but people are more capable of things than they think they are.

“I’ve still got my Level 2 apprenticeship folder upstairs. I actually picked that up the other day and looked back at it. My writing was absolutely terrible, my grammar, everything,” he says with a laugh.

After 10 years of studying, Chris is finally ready to spend more time with his family and enjoy the outdoors. Oh, and dedicate a little more time to his music!

“It’s amazing what the mind can do when you put it to something. I think I’ve learned that I’ve got a lot more determination than I probably knew I had.”