Name: Marcus Cassidy
Job Title: Head Groundsman
Year Joined: July, 2000

How and when did you join Swindon Town?

In the summer of 2000. I had been to college where I studied a green keeping course. At the time the groundsman was a guy called Mark Paynter, who was a friend of mine. He needed an assistant so suggested I come in and help out. However Mark left the club about six months later which is when Geoff Warren returned as Head Groundsman. I did two years as Assistant Groundsman to Geoff and when he left I was offered the main role. At the time I didn't feel quite ready for it so the Club used a contractor - Sportsturf.

I spent a number of years working for them whilst also looking after the pitches at Aston Villa, Wolves and the training ground at London Wasps. That gave me a lot of experience dealing with different surfaces. The Swindon takeover went through in January 2008 and the new owners wanted a groundsman here just to concentrate on Swindon - so soon after I joined as the club's full-time Head Groundsman.

What does your role involve?

Taking sole care of the main pitch and in the future I may be looking to take care of the training ground.

Describe your average day?

At the moment there is a lot of cutting. I get in at about seven, prepare the mowers and get on with things. We are also fertilising every two to three weeks which in itself is a lot of work. There is always a lot going on and things change with the seasons.

How does your role change on a matchday?

If the weather is fine then the aim is to cut the pitch on the morning of the game and cut the surrounds of the surface to make sure the place is looking tidy. Then I set up the goals, mark out the pitch and walk over the playing surface to do the final checks.

After half-time and full-time myself and a few helpers go out onto the pitch to repair the divots and try and make the surface look presentable, which may involve - in time - cutting it again.

Most memorable moment at Swindon?

Personally being nominated for the League One Groundsman of the Year was a high point as the pitch was in the top three in the division. In terms of following the team, I was sat in the Town End when Danny Invincibile score THAT goal against Peterborough United so had a great view of it. The promotion under Paul Sturrock was an enjoyable time, to. You always remember promotions!

And your lowest point with the Club?

In the dark days a few years back. There was just no money about and I had to try and carry out the pitch renovation with zero budget. That basically involved putting a bit of seed down, it was very restrictive and a lot of effort went into trying to make the pitch the best that we could do with what was available - or not as the case was back then!

Which game are you most looking forward to this season?

Any of the big home games and there are a few of those coming up. With Charlton, Norwich and Southampton in the league there will be some massive fixtures. The visit of Bristol Rovers should bring the atmosphere too; there is always a buzz about that one.