Richard Eastham
Telephone: 07874 869 566 Email: reastham@thegma.org.uk
Richard began his career at Chorley Football Club as a Youth Trainee. After 18 months, Richard became Assistant Groundsman at Preston North End F.C, and later shared his time between Preston and Chorley, where he returned as Head Groundsman. In these roles, Richard helped manage pitches that were used for both Football and Rugby league.
At the age of 23, Richard was promoted to Head Groundsman at Preston North End. He held the position for three years and during that time Richard twice received a ‘Highly Commended Pitch’ award from the Premier League playing surface committee.
From Preston spent nine years at Liverpool F.C. working as lead groundsman at Anfield, First team training facility Melwood and The Academy.
In 2015 Richard took position as Deputy Head Groundsman at Manchester City’s City Football Academy. At the Etihad Campus Richard and his team of 5 were responsible for seven natural/ hybrid and three artificial pitches.
Richard has also worked with two venues in Croatia, liaising with local staff to improve standards at pitches which were used by the academy for pre-season training.
Richard studied at Myerscough College gaining his Level 2 and 3 in Sportsturf and a Higher National Diploma in Sportsturf and Golf Course Management. In 2019 Richard Completed the Fertiliser Advisors Certification and Training Scheme.
Richard is a Member of the GMA and has supported the GMA and UEFA in providing training to ground staff at training venues used for the 2019 UEFA Women’s Championship. He also worked with the GMA and RFL to prepare the pitch for the historic Super League at Barcelona’s Nou Camp Stadium.