Gordon wins Groundsman gong

Bill Clutterbuck receives the Ransomes Jacobsen Trophy for Achievements in Cricket Groundsmanship from Ransomes Jacobsen representative, Nigel Church

Bill Gordon receives his award

Surrey’s Bill Gordon has won the Groundsman of the Year Award for the third year running at the ECB’s annual pre-season dinner for First Class Groundsmen.

The two-day event was held at the Bedford Park Inn Hotel and Cranfield University's soil science campus at Silsoe, where the ECB Pitches Research Group's four-year rolling and moisture trials are being staged.

The dinner was once again hosted by ECB Cricket Operations Manager, Alan Fordham, with former Kent and England captain Mike Denness presenting the awards and commendation certificates for achievements during the memorable 2005 playing season.

Surrey Head Groundsman Gordon made it a double achievement by winning the award for One-Day pitches as well and, not wanting to hog all the limelight on the night, elected his assistant Lee Fortis to collect.

A notable first was a commendation awarded to Kenny Nisbit, Head Groundman at The Grange, Edinburgh. Scottish Cricket representive Jim McFadyen accepted the certificate on his behalf.

The final presentation of the evening was the Ransomes Jacobsen Trophy for Achievements in Cricket Groundsmanship.

ECB Pitches Consultant Chris Wood outlined the career background of the recipient, before Bill Clutterbuck of Guildford CC and Surrey outground received the crystal award from Ransomes Jacobsen representative, Nigel Church.

Clutterbuck's 35-year career path took him to Guildford in 1996 via Bangor and Liverpool Colleges as both cricket pro, coach and groundsman, then up to Herriot School in Edinburgh.

He won a previous commendation in 1997 and was runner-up in the Outgrounds category in 1999-2000.

The Awards Listing in Full:

Groundsman of the Year

• Bill Gordon - (The Oval)

Three & Four Day Pitches

• Winner - Bill Gordon (The Oval)

• Runner-up - Phil Frost (Taunton)

• Commended - Mick Hunt (Lord's)

• Commended - Stuart Kerrison (Chelmsford)

• Commended - Peter Marron (Old Trafford)

• Commended - Steve Birks (Trent Bridge)

One Day Pitches

• Winner - Bill Gordon (The Oval)

• Runner-up - Phil Frost (Taunton)

• Commended - Kenny Nisbet (The Grange, Edinburgh)

• Commended - Len Smith (Sophia Gardens)

• Commended - Mick Hunt (Lord's)

Outgrounds

• Winner - Steve Martin (Southgate)

• Runner-up - Micky Stewart (Scarborough)

• Commended - Matt Pullen (Whitgift School)

• Commended - Keith Exton (Oakham School)

University Centres of Cricketing Excellence

• Winner - Richard Sula (Oxford)

• Runner-up - Will Relf (Loughborough)