There aren’t many player-groundsman operating in football, but we have one in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South where Poole Town’s Josh Staunton combines cutting a solid figure in the heart of the back-line with cutting the grass.
The 29 year-old joined the Dolphins midway through last season, bringing with him the experience of over 200 games at National League level with the likes of Dagenham & Redbridge, Woking, FC Halifax Town, Yeovil Town and Boreham Wood.
“I can’t imagine there’s many player-groundsman in football generally, it’s not really a particularly popular crossover,” Staunton told us. “Loads of the other boys do different trades but I’m yet to come across anyone who looks after their own pitch they play on!
“After stepping away from full-time football, I was fortunate to look after a couple of other sports venues with my business and after discussions with the club they decided to give me a go here at Poole Town alongside my playing role.
“The pitch is doing well now. When I took over in September it wasn’t in the best shape, and required plenty of hard work and attention, but I’m pleased to say it is still looking pretty good after coming through a very dull winter.
“We haven’t had a game called off due to pitch this year, which after last year is a huge bonus and a massive step in the right direction for the club.
“I spend about ten hours a week on the pitch and each week looks very different; some weeks there is a lot of divoting and I always double cut for the nice chequered pattern for a matchday.
“Fortunately, not many of the players probably know I do the pitch (until now!) and they probably wonder why I am repairing divots mid-game, but it makes my job slightly easier doing them as I go, in real-time, rather than doing it all afterwards!
“One thing I will say, all the travelling teams have been extremely respectful doing the start of their warm-ups off the pitch, which goes a long way towards maintaining the playing surface and I’m very grateful for that!”
There was much-needed joy on the pitch at the weekend where Poole Town ended a run of eight League games without a win with a dramatic 3-2 triumph over a Winchester City outfit that sit just above them in the table.
“The result on Saturday was huge for us,” added Staunton. “It wasn’t just the three points, but the manner in which we got them; scoring three goals and coming from behind whilst down to ten men is a real injection of belief and confidence in the group, which will be enormous for us in the run-in.
“We played really well during the first half and had it not been a for a few good saves, we could have gone in at the break more than just one goal up. We then had a wobbly ten minutes at the start of the second half where we conceded twice to fall behind, but responded by showing the kind of intensity and level of performance that we need to get us out of the situation that we are in.
“We have to be honest about the position we find ourselves in; the season has been majorly disappointing and we now have to find some consistent form to ensure that we can move out of the relegation places.
“Whilst the season has been disappointing, I have full belief in the squad and staff to steer the ship to safety and maintain our status in this League. We have been unfortunate at times, been on the wrong side of small details, which have cost us and knocked confidence as a result, and it’s probably what has resulted in us finding ourselves where we are, but the last couple of results have been enormous for the club and I can really see the fire in the boys’ eyes for the run in.
“The Premier South is very competitive. There are some fantastic players plying their trade at this level and some really good teams. I am regularly astonished by the commitment the players have alongside full-time jobs and the quality they display each week.
“Coming out of full-time football, it’s a different world. Playing part-time I would say is trickier in some ways with the work-life-football balance and there are some terrific footballers at this level, which makes for good viewing and some fascinating games every week!
“I am not setting any targets for anything personal between now and the end of the season, the only thing that matters is the 18 boys in that dressing room find enough points to ensure that Poole Town retains its Step 3 status.
“That is the sole focus of myself and the group; amass enough points in the next eight games to finish outside of the bottom four, whatever it takes we will drive one another to achieve our goal.”
The players only have to look to Jamie Whisken for inspirational. Mr. Poole Town celebrated 500 games for the club at the weekend, a fantastic record.
“Anyone who reaches a milestone of 500 games for one club, at any level, whether FA Premier League or Southern League Premier, deserves huge plaudits alongside legendary status,” added Staunton. “It is a level of loyalty you don’t often see in football, especially these days, and it’s a testament of how well Whisk looks after himself as he has chalked it off in a relatively quick time.
“Even at his age now, he’s available on a weekly basis. You can see how much respect everyone has for him at the club and he’s a great guy more than anything.
“He’s a fantastic role model for all the young players around the club and even the more experienced ones can learn a lot from him and the way in which he conducts himself.”
A tricky trip to Walton & Hersham awaits on Saturday afternoon.
IMAGE: Cameron Gale
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