Chris Ralph, Grounds Manager at Plymouth Argyle Football Club, knows that maintaining consistent, high-quality playing surfaces across the club’s grounds is essential for performance and safety.
With a wealth of experience that spans both golf and football, including stints at Torquay United and now Plymouth Argyle for the last six years, Chris has seen firsthand how Mansfield Sand’s products can elevate pitch quality.
"When I moved to Plymouth Argyle using Mansfield Sand was a natural choice," Chris explains. "Our contractors also recommended it, so when we decided to upgrade to a hybrid pitch, we went with their 90/10 rootzone blend."
The club recently underwent a pitch transformation, installing a SIS hybrid system with a 90/10 rootzone mix from Mansfield Sand. This blend, made of 90% sand and 10% organic materials, offers the ideal balance for aeration, drainage, and stability—especially crucial for the demands of high-level football. “We also took out about 1,400 tonnes of Fibresand from the old stadium pitch and moved it to a training pitch,” Chris explains. “This upgrade has massively improved the quality of that pitch.”
In his role, Chris oversees maintenance not only for the stadium pitch but also for the training ground and academy surfaces. His team of six relies on Mansfield Sand’s products for consistency across all locations. “Sand is hugely important. Once you get the right product, it helps maintain drainage rates and keeps things uniformed across all the sites ensuring the pitches are consistent.”
Chris plans to incorporate periodic mini-renovations on the new hybrid pitch, using Mansfield Sand’s products to keep the surface clean, smooth, and high-performing. “We’ll probably add around 16 to 20 tonnes a couple of times over the season,” Chris notes, emphasising the importance of ongoing care in maintaining the surface’s quality.
Reliability is also key for Chris and his team, and Mansfield Sand has consistently delivered. “We’ve never had any issues with their products,” Chris says. “They’re clean, high-quality, and always delivered on time. Gary Cunningham, our contact, is always available to help out whenever needed.”
With Mansfield Sand’s support and high-quality products, Chris and his team have found a trusted partner in maintaining Plymouth Argyle’s pitches.
