Thedecision to give the Division 2 groundsman of the year award to Bristol City astonished the Oxford United camp after they saw the state of the Ashton Gate pitch on Monday.
The surface was one of the poorer ones they have played on in recent weeks. Maybe it was because fertilizer had just been put down, but the top looked like a patchwork quilt, and each goalmouth was in a poor condition.
It must have made United groundsman Mick Moore, who was short-listed but pipped for the award, scractch his head.
"I was surprised, because the Bristol City pitch has never been good, and I was even more surprised once I'd seen it," admitted Denis Smith.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article