Chris Lane and Wayne Lumbard – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Chris Lane is one 19-year-old who doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet after leaving an uninspiring retail job to help look after the turf of his footballing heroes.

Chris Lane and Wayne Lumbard

“When you see the players tearing it up you think, ‘I’ll be fixing that in a bit’, but when you go out at half-time to repair the divots and the crowd’s cheering and there’s a great atmosphere it’s an incredible feeling and great to know that you are a part of it all.”

 

Energetic Chris is one of a small team of groundsmen tending the precious pitch for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC after netting a plum apprenticeship.

Chris, who lives in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, is a lifelong fan of the West Midlands soccer legends and said it was a “dream come true” to be working at the Molineux.

He is studying a two-year NVQ Level 2 course in sports turf with most of his time split between the club and the training ground nearby. He spends about one day a week at Rodbaston College to support his on-the-job experience.

Chris said: “After leaving school I wasn’t really sure what to do and ended up working in a shop for two years which I really didn’t want.

“I had always really wanted to work in horticulture and went to see what the college was offering. They said they would take me on if I found an employer.

“I wrote loads of letters, mainly to golf clubs, and I couldn’t believe it when the Wolves wrote back saying they were interested in seeing me.

“They said I had written a really nice letter and had a good CV and that they were considering taking me on as an apprentice.

“I have been a season ticket holder at the club for 10 years since I was a kid and to be working here is amazing. I went along to the pre-season friendly and I got on great with the people here and they took me on.

“It’s a brilliant place to work and my dream is that when my course is over and I’m qualified they’ll take me on permanently.”

Head groundsman at Wolves, Wayne Lumbard, who is 39, said: “I was keen to take on an apprentice because I genuinely believe it is the way forward. Apprentices are affordable and Chris puts in the graft here as well as being backed up with his college work.

“I took years to get my dream of working at a football club and Chris has been given a great opportunity to get a wage and get himself a qualification and the proper training for a very rewarding career.”  

Find out more about Apprenticeships

Find out what it takes to be a groundsman