Formartine FC has defied the odds with their pitch

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In the rugged terrain of Aberdeenshire, where the winds howl and the rains pour relentlessly, lies Formartine United Football Club, a beacon of grassroots football passion in the Scottish Highlands. Despite a modest budget and a mere two months of sun (if they’re lucky!), Formartine FC has defied the odds with their pitch, recently bestowed with the prestigious Gold status by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

Behind this remarkable achievement is not just hard work and dedication but a revolutionary approach to pitch management, rooted in organic principles and powered by Symbio products, a subsidiary of Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS).

Formartine on March 9 after the wettest winter on record in north east Scotland

Leading the charge is the Head Groundsman of Formartine United FC Paul Fiske. With 35 years of greenkeeping and grounds management experience, including a 22-year tenure as the former head groundskeeper at Aberdeen FC, Paul’s passion knows no bounds. For the past six years, he has tended to Formartine’s pitch, with unwavering support from committee members and volunteers who share his dedication to excellence.

Formartine United Football Club is a semi-professional Scottish senior association football club currently playing in the Highland Football League but with ambitious plans to make higher leagues through the pyramid system.

Despite operating on a modest budget, the football club based in Pitmedden prioritises the maintenance of its grounds above all else, thanks to a chairman who understands the importance of investing in quality infrastructure and spends more on the pitch than other teams in its league.

Paul Fiske

Paul’s partnership with OAS dates back 15 years to when he began working with Symbio’s technical representatives. He has a bespoke programme tailored to Formartine’s unique challenges which incorporates a range of biological products including Mycorrhizae Inoculant, Mycrogro fertiliser, Compost Teas and Liquid Aeration, and biostimulants like CMS Shoot and Seaweed.

“Our programme works,” says Paul Fiske. “It is well regarded that our pitch is the best in our league. It is a soil-based pitch with minimal disease. We tweak things as necessary. The changing weather means it is not an exact science. The Symbio Mycorrhizae Inoculant is truly an unbelievable product – It really accelerates grass establishment and speeds up the pitch renovation process. It’s not a cheap option, but the results speak for themselves. With the short window for pitch renovations, every day counts, and the Mycorrhizae Inoculant ensures that we get the job done efficiently.”

Complementing the Mycorrhizae Inoculant is Mycrogro fertiliser, which provides essential nutrients for robust plant growth, and Compost Tea, which promotes soil health and biodiversity. Liquid Aeration, a noninvasive alternative to mechanical aeration, helps alleviate soil compaction by stimulating microbial activity and improving water infiltration, ensuring optimal playing conditions throughout the season.

Navigating the unpredictable Scottish weather, where rainfall has reached unprecedented levels, Paul relies on OAS’s innovative solutions to keep the pitch in play. Liquid Aeration and products like HydroAid play a crucial role in managing water movement and promoting optimal soil health, ensuring that the pitch remains resilient despite adverse weather conditions. “I have needed to use more Liquid Aeration than usual, but it’s important to use it at the right time; I watch the forecast closely and apply products ahead of the weather. HydraAid and Liquid Aeration are fantastic for pulling the water off the surface and speeding up percolation.”

Looking ahead, Formartine United F.C. harbours ambitions of climbing the ranks. Paul reflects on their journey and says “The results speak for themselves. Despite the challenging climate and heavy usage, Formartine’s pitch boasted an impressive 90% grass coverage when the 2023/24 season drew to a close. It’s clear to see that the pitch is actually performing better than some topflight Scottish clubs, even ones in the same region with bigger and better resources and less usage” concludes Paul, “given the usage Formartine gets, it’s a credit to the unwavering support of the chairman, the organic products from OAS, hard work and good working practices carried out with professionalism.”

End of season 2024, April

Formartine United FC is a shining example of what can be achieved with passion, innovation, and a little help from nature. As they continue to defy expectations and chase their footballing dreams, one thing is certain – their pitch will always be a source of pride and envy for many clubs in their league and higher across Scotland.