Blackpool FC has seen major improvements to both its stadium and training ground facilities following the installation of a new Hunter irrigation system, supplied by KAR UK and installed by Arden Lea Irrigation.
Head Groundsman Paul Flynn, who has been with the club for nearly five years, explained how the Hunter products have transformed operations, saving time, improving turf quality, and supporting player performance.
Before the installation, Paul and his team relied on standpipes and travelling sprinklers – a process that was time-consuming and inefficient.
“We were wasting 20 to 25 hours a week just watering pitches by hand,” Paul said. “I told the club they’d get that time back within a year if we invested in irrigation – and that’s exactly what has happened.”
The first phase began at the training ground, with irrigation now fully operational across the main pitches and the sports science area. At the stadium, work is ongoing, with Hunter I80-ON sprinklers already replacing older, underperforming units.
Blackpool’s system includes the Hunter ACC2 Controller with Centralus, the Hunter GT-885, and the Hunter I80-ON sprinklers.
The ACC2 Controller with Centralus allows Paul and his deputy to manage irrigation directly from their phones or via a roaming remote, giving them ultimate flexibility.
“We can press a button and water exactly where we want, whenever we want,” Paul explained. “It makes growing, training preparation, and recovery so simple. We’ve now got around 62 heads across the site, so we can literally water every blade of grass.”
The Hunter I80-ON heads, installed at Bloomfield Road Stadium, have already improved coverage and performance compared to the old system. The GT-885 sprinklers at the training ground provide strength, durability, and easy access for maintenance – crucial for a high-use facility.
The improvements in irrigation have gone beyond aesthetics, directly impacting player welfare and training quality.
“Before, some areas were rock hard, which contributed to calf and hamstring injuries,” said Paul. “Now we can keep surfaces consistent, which makes a huge difference for performance and safety.”
Managers have also benefitted, with the ability to prepare pitches to replicate match conditions.
“The current manager says the best thing is that the training pitches now resemble the stadium pitch,” Paul added. “It means we can mirror match situations and even put the sprinklers on during sessions to improve ball speed – something we could never do before.”
Paul credited both KAR UK and Arden Lea Irrigation for their expertise and support throughout the project.
“My relationship with Wes and Lee at KAR UK goes back years, and I know I can always rely on them,” he said. “Arden Lea are also brilliant – I just pick up the phone and they’re here the next day. Between the two of them, the whole process has been faultless.”
The old irrigation kit has even been donated to Blackpool Cricket Club, strengthening community ties and ensuring wider benefit from the project.
With the training ground fully upgraded and stadium improvements ongoing, Paul believes Hunter irrigation will continue to play a vital role in Blackpool FC’s future.
“The health of the pitches has never been better,” he said. “It’s more efficient, saves us time, and helps the players perform. Honestly, I can’t fault the system at all.”
For more information, please visit www.karuk.com
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