Mark Roberts described winning the Tom Walker Trophy for Groundsman of the Year in the Huddersfield Premier League as “a reward for 19 years of hard work”.
The Armitage Bridge stalwart received the award at the league’s annual dinner and prize presentation at Greenhead Masonic Hall.
Roberts, who currently looks after three grounds and helps out at two others, said: “It is just a matter of experience and knowing what to do and when to do it.”
His association with Armitage Bridge dates back more than 50 years, having first been involved with the club as an 11-year-old player in 1974.
“I’ve got four and a bit grounds to look after,” he explained. “Armitage Bridge is my own ground. I’ve looked after Holmbridge for about 10 years after the late, great Peter Green from Honley passed away. I’ve also done four or five years at Hall Bower, two years at Slaithwaite, and I help out a little at Almondbury Wesleyans.”
Roberts added that his professional background has helped him manage the workload.
“My background is in lawn care and I’m self-employed, so I haven’t overburdened myself,” he said. “It’s all about the grass, after all.”
Reflecting on the 2025 season, Roberts said challenging weather conditions made pitch preparation difficult.
“In general the weather was problematic with the dryness,” he said. “As people know, you can’t prepare pitches without moisture, which made things very difficult on a regular basis.”
Despite that, Armitage Bridge successfully hosted the league’s T20 finals day at short notice.
“We had six days’ notice because the weather delayed the semi-finals by a week,” Roberts revealed. “The last semi-final finished on the Monday evening and finals day was the following Sunday.
“I’d already spent seven hours prepping on the Monday before we even knew whether we were hosting it.”
The effort paid off, with Roberts describing it as one of the best pitches of the season.
“It had bounce and carry, which is quite unusual for Armitage Bridge as it’s normally low and slow because it’s down by the river,” he said. “Both games were tight — one went to the last ball and the other almost to the last ball — so happy days.”
As part of the award, Armitage Bridge received a £500 cheque to spend with sponsors Battersby Sports Ground Supplies. Runners-up Skelmanthorpe received £100.
Content provided by William Marshall of Yorkshire Evening Post
