'Managing turf can be tough at times' - groundsman

Head groundsman Aaron Tong is responsible for keeping the pitch at MKM Stadium in perfect condition

Football on Boxing Day has been a long-standing British tradition with clubs up and down the country taking to the pitch on this bank holiday.

As Hull City - and its army of fans - head to Preston for its festive fixture, spare a thought for the legion of labourers who are busy beavering away to make the Tigers' ground at the MKM Stadium pitch perfect for the new year.

Head groundsman Aaron Tong is responsible for seven playing fields at the club including the training ground in Cottingham.

Leading a team of seven, many of Mr Tong's staff will spend Christmas handling lawnmowers and painting lines.

He said managing the turf "can be tough at times" and the team had faced many challenges over the past 12 months, from dealing with one of the wettest summers on record to battling Storm Darragh.

The ground, which is also home to rugby league team Hull FC, has "its own microclimate" with 90% of the surface area shaded from the seasonal elements.

The wind and rain does not always reach the turf like it does outside the stadium, said Mr Tong.

While the pitch weathered many a storm and rigorous play from two distinct sporting clubs, the ground "wasn't performing to how it should" because it reached the end of its life and had to be replaced this summer at an undisclosed figure.

However, Mr Tong said he was delighted the expensive replacement had made the stadium look its best once again.

"It's great", he added.

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