Tottenham Hotspur FC Training Centre Sand Banding

Following the completion of the 2023/24 season, Fineturf were appointed to conduct sand banding operations on pitch seven at Tottenham’s Hotspur Way Training Centre.

After periods of prolonged and significant rainfall, the club recognised a slow-down in surface drainage. The objective was to conduct works which would increase percolation rates through the upper profile, to better cope with extremes of weather.

Fineturf commenced the project in early May 2024. The first step utilised our Shelton 710 trencher to install slits at 1.5m centres - each 50mm wide and 250mm deep.

The process to backfill was two-fold. The first 125mm (50%) was a 2-6mm gravel to significantly enhance porosity for fast and effective drainage. A pass when then made to deliver 125mm of Redhill 45 sports sand into the upper 50% of the channel. This was then press wheeled before a secondary pass was made to top the sand up to a level finish.

The club then removed the entire pitch surface with the Koro and sandressed, before the Fineturf team returned to seed the pitch and peripheral areas.

The Fineturf operatives worked tirelessly to ensure the project was completed within the tight renovation window, using their experience and expertise to successfully hand the pitch back to the Tottenham grounds team after just three days.

This secondary drainage installation will optimise water movement for guaranteed pitch performance in even the most challenging of conditions.