NAME: Mel Jones

AGED: 55

FROM: Winwick

TITLE: Groundsman

HOW LONG WITH WOLVES: 12 years

“I COME in at 7am and me and the apprentice, Bradley Wood, put the posts up, cut the pitch, maybe twice if we’ve got time, then we will water it and mark it out.

“The new pitches need cutting every day so it’s a never-ending cycle of work.

“You get a bit of grief if players don’t like the pitch but this season there’s not been much for them to complain about. Tony (Smith) is very appreciative of what we’re doing and Allan Langer used to comment.

“It helps you get through the long hours which can be 60/70 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Renovation work starts before the Wigan game so there will be some long nights but hopefully it will be spot on.

“It’s nice to have a green pitch but the ultimate priority is player safety and that it is playing well.

“Me and my son are fans. You become one even if you haven’t been beforehand.”