David Ridley - Wiltshire County Football Association - Facility Operations Manager
David Ridley is a passionate, community-driven leader in sports turf and facility management, dedicated to developing both people and places. Over the past three years, he has transformed Wiltshire County Football Association’s headquarters site into a thriving, self-sustaining multi-sport hub. When David began, the site operated with just two staff members and limited resources. Today, it boasts an established structure of 14 staff, including a dedicated grounds team, industry-recognised equipment secured through Football Foundation funding, and a reputation as a venue capable of hosting more than 1,500 games per year. The site has also become a reliable income stream, with profits reinvested to improve football provision across the county.
Under David’s leadership, the site has not only expanded its reach by partnering with two local clubs but has also inspired the County FA’s growth, culminating in the announcement of a second multimillion-pound facility due to open in 2027. Beyond operations, David launched the Wiltshire County FA Grounds and Facility Support Group in 2025, an initiative designed to connect grassroots clubs with national companies such as Agrovista, Fleet Linemarking, Replay Maintenance, and Lister Wilder. Its launch event, hosted with Swindon Town FC during the installation of SIS Grass Hybrid technology at the County Ground, gave volunteers and club representatives unique behind-the-scenes access to professional processes, while fostering invaluable industry connections.
Despite starting his career in leisure and operations with little knowledge of turf care, David has worked tirelessly to educate himself over the past five years, driving major improvements across all grass pitches on site, evidenced by a three-category uplift in Football Foundation Pitch Power reports. His leadership style places equal emphasis on people and facilities. By investing trust, guidance, and opportunities, David has developed a team of supervisors, assistants, students, and volunteers into a professional, efficient, and community-focused workforce that underpins the site’s ongoing success.
Outside his formal role, David actively supports local grassroots clubs, volunteering time to help prepare pitches, provide free advice, and mentor grounds volunteers. Through the Support Group and a dedicated app for best-practice sharing, he has created networks that empower less-experienced grounds teams across Wiltshire.
Looking ahead, David’s ambition is to expand access to well-run, community-focused facilities in areas where opportunities are most needed. His vision for the industry emphasises inclusivity, sustainability, and stronger networks of support for grounds professionals at every level. By sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and championing grassroots development, he aims to help shape a modern, resilient, and people-centred future for the industry.
Through his role as facilities lead at Wiltshire FA he shows a vast level of knowledge and passion which he has deployed at our Green Lane to improve the quality of the football pitches and green space at our Headquarters at Green Lane, Devizes. The site is an exemplar of best practice and of what can be achieved. His keen interest in developing his own skills and experience, including in respect of being more sustainable and environmentally aware. His commitment to sharing his learning, and the insight of suppliers and others, to support the progress of professional operators and volunteers. His willingness to innovate and to try different approaches to improve the quality of pitches and environs across Wiltshire. As well as responding positively to questions and inquiries, he has created a Facilities and Grounds Maintenance network to improve standards as much as possible."
Simon Russell, CEO - Wiltshire County FA
