Head Groundsman Matt Purcell on pitch quality, challenges, and innovation

Windsor Park experiences the benefits of LED grow lighting technology

The SGL LED50 recovers grass in target area.

Windsor Park in Belfast, the national stadium of Northern Ireland, is more than just a football venue, it’s a stage for international matches, domestic cup finals, and high-level league competitions. Hosting both the Northern Ireland national team and Linfield F.C., the stadium sees a busy schedule each season, with over 80 matches played in the last year alone.

Keeping the pitch in top condition under such heavy use is not an easy task, one that Head Groundsman Matt Purcell and his team have taken on with passion, expertise, and a drive to innovate.

Matt Purcell on the pitch at Windsor Park

From golf courses to the national stadium

Matt started his career on the bottom of the ladder and had to work hard to earn his stripes. “I started out as an apprentice, but quickly found my passion in turf,” he explains. His career began in golf course management, where he worked his way up from apprentice to Golf Course Manager in Northern Ireland. With a master’s degree in sports turf and years of experience maintaining fine turf, Matt made the switch to stadium management in 2023. “Football is a different challenge. The wear and tear, the turnaround, it’s on another level compared to golf. But I love it.”

At Windsor Park, Matt works closely with his colleague Tom, together forming a small but dedicated team responsible for maintaining a surface that must perform week after week, no matter the weather or the match load.

Heavy use, high standards

The workload is intense. In addition to Linfield’s domestic fixtures, the stadium hosts all national cup finals, youth finals, Champions League qualifiers, and Northern Ireland men’s internationals. “Last year we had 82 games,” Matt notes. “But when you see a full house, hear the compliments on the pitch from players and managers, you realise all the long hours are worth it. That gives you a real buzz.”

The LED50 grow light system at Windsor Park

Winning the SGL LED50 trial

Earlier this year, Matt entered an SGL competition offering a free trial with the LED50 grow lighting unit. “Honestly, you never think you’ll win,” he laughs. “But we did, and it’s been great from the start.”

The timing was perfect, just after an overseed, particularly around high-wear areas like penalty spots and six-yard boxes. The LED50 combines light and heating technology, giving the new grass seed an optimal environment for germination. “The results were clear straight away,” says Matt. “We had a quick turnaround in growth, especially in the six-yard boxes where keepers and coaches cause a lot of stress to the turf.”

One feature that stood out was its mobility. “You look at it and think it’s a big piece of kit, but it’s so easy to move, one person can handle it. That makes it practical for quick deployment in the areas that need it most.”

Comparing the LED50 to other units, Matt noticed a faster response. “With the SGL LED50, we saw results 2–3 weeks quicker than with our units from other grow light companies. That’s a big deal when you’ve got a game coming up and need a quick recovery.”

Looking ahead

With another busy year on the horizon, likely surpassing last season’s 82 matches, Matt’s focus remains on continuous improvement. “The goal is always to make the pitch better, especially in weaker areas like shaded zones. Using the right products and technologies is key to that. The LED trial has shown me what’s possible, and I’d love to see what the bigger LED units (red. LED120 & LED440) could do across the pitch.”

For Matt and his team, innovation isn’t just about technology, it’s about maintaining a surface that players can trust and fans can be proud of. With the LED50 trial already showing promising results, Windsor Park is well on its way to meeting the ever-rising demands of elite football.