EFL NAME GROUNDS TEAMS OF THE SEASON

AFC Bournemouth, Bolton Wanderers and Newport County have been named 2021/22 Grounds Teams of the Season in the EFL.

The EFL says grounds teams up and down the country have worked tirelessly this campaign to maintain pitches across all 72 of their clubs and the Grounds Teams of the Season awards recognise the staff who have produced the best quality playing surfaces in each division.

Pitch marks are provided by the referee and away team manager for all EFL League matches. The top Clubs from each division with the highest divisional average are then visited by Neil Rodger, from STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute), where further assessments are carried out, which cover pitch quality, environmental conditions and usage, resources, management and sustainability.

Once all club visits have taken place, in-depth reports and recommendations are submitted to the Playing Surfaces Committee, at which point winners are determined.

The winners of each division will receive a trophy and certificate. Highly Commended Clubs will receive a certificate.

Here are this season’s winners:

Sky Bet Championship

• Grounds Team of the Season - AFC Bournemouth
• Highly Commended - Middlesbrough
• Highly Commended - Nottingham Forest

Sky Bet League One

• Grounds Team of the Season - Bolton Wanderers
• Highly Commended - Ipswich Town
• Highly Commended - Lincoln City

Sky Bet League Two

• Grounds Team of the Season - Newport County
• Highly Commended - Bradford City
• Highly Commended - Exeter City
• Highly Commended - Tranmere Rovers