Nottingham Forest FC – A Collaborative Success Story
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 19
By Nathan George, Contracts Director – MJ Abbott & Premier Pitches
Since 2022, Nottingham Forest FC has undertaken a significant programme of pitch improvements across both their training facilities and the City Ground stadium. Working in partnership with MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, the club has progressively upgraded its surfaces to meet modern performance standards and support increasing fixture demands.
First Team Training Ground Pitches (May-August 2022)
The first major project took place in 2022 with the reconstruction of two full-size First Team Training Pitches, as well as goalkeeper and drill areas. Covering 20,000 square metres, the works included:
Cut and fill earthworks
Full primary drainage systems
A fully automatic irrigation system including pump station and water storage
Installation of a 150mm gravel raft, 200mm sand layer and 100mm rootzone
SISGrass hybrid stitching across the entire area
Access restrictions and proximity to residential housing required careful control of dust, noise, and vehicle movements.
The project was completed in line with the club’s requirements and provided a high-quality training environment for the first team.
The City Ground Stadium Pitch (May-June 2023 & ongoing)
The City Ground has been Nottingham Forest’s home since 1898, and its pitch had remained largely unchanged for nearly three decades. In 2023, a full reconstruction began—a deep dig that literally cut into the club’s layered history.
Below the ageing surface, decades of brick rubble and silty clay, all removed and transported to a licensed landfill. In its place came:
Full primary drainage
Fully automated irrigation supported by a 100m³/hr pump station and 40m³ tank
Undersoil heating pipework
New gravel raft, lower sand rootzone and upper rootzone profile
SIS Grass hybrid stitching
In winter 2024, the irrigation pump station and water tank were relocated from pitch side of the Brian Clough Stand to the outer car park side. This was to make way for some redevelopment work the club was undertaking. This required installing new irrigation mains in a congested service corridor containing existing pipes, ducts and cables.
Then, in summer 2025, the club faced another challenge: UEFA requirements for taller advertising boards. MJ Abbott returned once again, reshaping levels around three sides of the pitch, constructing new concrete foundations, and installing synthetic turf surfacing—unearthing more forgotten utilities and old foundations in the process.
2025 also saw the dug outs being extended, which involved moving electrical services and casting new concrete steps. The dug outs were re-surfaced in red synthetic carpet prior to the club installing seats.
The Arena Pitch (July-August 2025)
The proposals for the first team pitches constructed in 2022, did not include for heating. This placed a heavy reliance on using the City Ground Pitch for training during adverse weather conditions.
After negotiations, the club approved proposals to fully re-construct the training ground Arena Pitch, marking a significant step toward improving pitch quality, durability and year-round availability.
Re-construction started in July 2025, and featured the following:
Cut and fill regrading
Full primary drainage
Fully automatic irrigation
Undersoil heating pipework and an oil-based boiler plant
Gravel raft, sand layer, and rootzone profiles
SIS Grass hybrid reinforcement
A new Duralock perimeter spectator fence
It added yet another elite-standard surface to the club’s growing portfolio of pitches and has been used regularly by the first team since becoming operational.
Pitches in Play – The Grounds Team
Even the best-built pitch means nothing without expert care. At Nottingham Forest, responsibility for taking the surfaces from seed to payable throughout the season, falls to Pitch Performance Managers, Jack Farmer and Ethan Reed, along with their hardworking and dedicated grounds team.
Head of Procurement, Craig North comments:
“The pressures of the modern game demand modern pitch constructions, daily performance
testing, modern machinery and specialist training. The club has significantly invested in all of these to provide consistent surfaces regardless of weather or fixture congestion”
End of Season Pitch Renovation
Premier Pitches have been involved with Nottingham Forest for well over 20 years but has been the club’s regular renovation contractor since 2020.
Working to a tight deadline, as pitches become available, they are quickly stripped of the grass, and the surfaces are returned to the rootzone and hybrid stitching layer. Light sand topdressing, fertiliser application and reseeding follow, before the grounds team takes over the grow‑in period ahead of pre‑season.
Russell Latham, Director Premier Pitches comments:
"Windows for renovation work get tighter as the demand from first-team professional football intensifies. We can only achieve a high level of efficiency during renovation time, by continual investment in modern machinery and into our hard-working and talented team of operators”
A Partnership Rooted in Reliability
Throughout the year, MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches continue to assist the club with various tasks including irrigation maintenance, topdressing, aeration, and overseeding.
This ongoing collaboration ensures the club’s playing surfaces remain reliable and fit for professional use.
