Maldon Town groundsman John Goodey's desire to make his pitch as good as Wembley has finally paid off with an award from the Essex FA.

Goodley was named by the Essex FA as the groundsman of the year for teams in the Ridgeons and Essex Senior League.

The club was inspected back in October last year and Goodey told the Evening Gazette: "We didn't think anything more of it, then out of the blue they called up to say we had won.

"I feel honoured that I've received it."

Goodey has been groundsman at Maldon for over eight years.

"Some people say it's not Wembley, so why bother, but if you don't strive to make it better you never will.

"I always want to make a pitch that the players walk out on and want to play on."

The ground is respected by the players and Maldon winger Ian Thompson feels that it was 'no suprise' that the club picked up the award.

"The conditions are fantastic," said Thompson.

"There are professional grounds which aren't as good as that and when you consider that they played over a 100 games it's remarkable the condition it was kept in."

Maldon's general manager Alan Drewer said: "It's a great achievement when you look at the fact that over 104 games were played on that pitch this season.

Published Thursday, June 19, 2003

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