Lordswood Youth FC

Based at Lordswood Sports and Social Club in Chatham, Lordswood Youth FC has supported junior football in the local community for more than 50 years. The club was founded as Lordswood Juniors in 1968 before adopting its current name in 2000. It has since continued to develop its approach to youth coaching as an FA-accredited football club.

Around 30,000m² of natural turf required a coordinated programme of seasonal renovation. The works were planned across autumn 2025 and spring 2026, allowing the pitches to receive aeration and fresh seed at suitable stages of the maintenance cycle.
A later topdressing visit was also required to apply washed sports sand across selected pitches and work it evenly into the playing surface.

During the autumn visit, Bourne Sport Verti-Drained the pitches using a 1.8m Wiedenmann Terra Spike fitted with ¾-inch tines. The machine operated to a depth of approximately 150mm, subject to the conditions found across the site.

The pitches were then overseeded at 25g/m² using 37 bags of Barenbrug E7 grass seed. A Vredo Compact 2.2m disc drill placed the seed into the surface before the rear roller closed the channels. E7 is a perennial ryegrass mixture developed for renovating high-wear winter sports surfaces.

A 10-15-10 fertiliser was applied during the same visit, using 37 bags at a rate of 25g/m². Combining these operations allowed the team to complete the autumn renovation efficiently while limiting disruption at the club.

Bourne Sport returned in spring 2026 to complete the second scheduled Verti-Drain treatment. This was followed in May by the application of 40 tonnes of SS01 washed sports sand. The sand was spread using a 3-tonne spreader before being worked into the surface with a drag mat.

The phased programme provided Lordswood Youth FC with maintenance tailored to the needs of its pitches, with each treatment scheduled around the season and the condition of the turf.