John Paul McAvoy - Preston North End - Groundsman
John Paul began his journey in grounds management through a two-year apprenticeship and has since progressed to overseeing the grounds management of a Championship football club stadium. Over the past five years, he has developed a reputation for reliability, thoroughness, and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the club’s pitch consistently meets high standards and earns praise from visitors, professionals, and players alike.
In his role, John Paul contributes significantly to his company and the wider grounds management industry. He actively shares his knowledge and skills with colleagues, helping to develop the expertise of the wider grounds team. Work experience participants and visiting professionals have consistently commended his professionalism, reflecting his dedication and influence beyond the immediate club environment. John Paul routinely goes above and beyond standard working hours, manually applying frost sheets during cold weather to protect the pitch in the absence of underground heating, starting as early as 4 a.m. when necessary, to ensure matches proceed as scheduled.
Key achievements include completing his apprenticeship and obtaining his PA1 certification, milestones that have enabled his career progression within the club. He has successfully maintained the pitch at a high standard despite challenges such as the lack of underground heating, tight turnaround times between fixtures, and occasional criticism. John Paul has turned these obstacles into opportunities for learning, using feedback to refine his methods, resulting in improved pitch quality. Statistically, only one game has been called off in his five-year tenure, highlighting the effectiveness and skill in his work.
Looking ahead, John Paul aims to drive sustainability and innovation within the industry. He is keen to introduce battery-powered and robotic machinery to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact. He also plans to achieve his PA6 certification and complete a Level 3 qualification to enhance his technical expertise further. Additionally, John Paul advocates for infrastructure improvements, such as installing a stitched pitch with underground heating, to support the team and ensure consistently high-quality playing surfaces throughout the year.
Ultimately, John Paul is committed to continuous learning, professional development, and raising standards in grounds management. His focus on innovation, sustainability, and mentorship positions him as a dedicated and forward-thinking professional, determined to contribute to both his club and the broader grounds management community.
John Paul has turned his passion for watching and playing football into a career within the game. From joining as a young man with no knowledge of the industry, he has rapidly shown an understanding of what is required on a day to day basis, with a really keen eye for detail. Still quite early in his career development, I have been able to leave him looking after the main stadium pitch, confident he will pick up on issues such as disease, quality of cut issues or any other issues that may arise. He has become an integral part of our team since joining as an apprentice."
Peter Ashworth, Head Grounds Manager - Preston North End
