Head Groundsman Paul Knowles has been explaining the work that is being carried out on the Sixfields pitch this summer.
As well as the extensive work being carried out to four training pitches at Moulton College, the Sixfields surface is being totally re-laid, and Knowles talked about the work going on at the stadium.
"About 6/7 years ago we took the pitch up and 120 tons of fibre sand were added in to make the pitch better with less cutting up but in the last year that pitch had reached the end of its shelf life," he said.
"The play offs taking place in late June last summer meant we didn't have the window to carry out the work that was needed and with those circumstances in mind, the pitch probably went a year beyond its expected life cycle.
"This summer we have stripped off the top inch to remove all the weaker grass, we have carried out work to improve the drainage and there is another 120 tons of fibre sand going in to improve the playability and get it back to how it was a few years ago. We want the players to get back to trusting the pitch as they did a few years ago and I am confident we can do that.
"Last year Covid worked against us in terms of the timings but this summer we have been able to get on the pitch earlier than we usually can and we do have that magic 7 or 8 week window we always look for to do the major renovation we are carrying out this summer.
"Playability will be a big issue for us next season and I am confident the pitch will play as well as possible. Things are going well and we are planning to have the pitch ready for early July. We hope to be cutting the new grass back by the end of May and then it will be growing and strengthening through June and should be all good to go by the time the pre-season matches start."