IN his early days, John Ledwidge loved football, and in particular Coventry City FC, but didn't know what a groundsman was - or did.

Today John is Head of Sports Turf and Grounds at Premier side Leicester City with a role that not only encompasses overseeing the preparation of pitches at the King Power Stadium and Seagrave training ground, but also responsibility for the Club owner's golf course, two polo fields, gardens and the pitches at Belgian 1st Division side Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

He is also the brains and driving force for the innovative multi-million pound Sports Turf Academy at Leiester which is now in its second year offering training courses, trials and research, technical and tournament support.

John received the prestigious Alex Millar Award at the 2022 Grounds Managment Association (GMA) Industry Awards, whilst his Leicester City grounds team won the Professional Football Grounds Team Award.

If that's not enough, John has recently gained his pilots licence and can view the stadium and training ground from the sky to check that everything is looking good.

Leicester City Football Club

Sports Turf Academy