The Audio Long Read: ‘The Silicon Valley of turf’ – how the UK’s pursuit of the perfect pitch changed football

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They used to look like quagmires, ice rinks or dustbowls, depending on the time of year. But as big money entered football, pristine pitches became crucial to the sport’s image – and groundskeepers became stars. By William Ralston. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod
18 Jun 2025 English South Africa Sports

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