Taunton Town chairman and head groundsman Kevin Sturmey has received national recognition after being highly commended in the FA Groundsman Of The Year awards.

Taunton were the only team nominated from the South and West Division of the Evo-Stik League, with the pitch being inspected in March by the head groundsmen of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

Sturmey who combines various responsibilities at the club, took on the groundsman role to make savings last September following the departure of Barry Holder and has overseen a vast improvement in the playing surface which had begun at the end of the previous season.

He said: ”We never set out for recognition; our aim was to improve the pitch over a three year period to help us to play better football because the pitch was an embarrassment in the past.

"The improvements have now started to show but we still have some way to go and the next stage will be to investigate the drainage to retain as much water as possible.”

A great deal of work has been applied to the Wordsworth Drive pitch over the last year, with the chairman acknowledging the assistance of club staff and volunteers.

Sturmey added: “It has been a team effort to improve the pitch and I am indebted to my assistant Chris Mayhew who contributes a huge amount in many areas.

"We all have to muck in at our level and I am prepared to do whatever it takes to help move the club forward.

"However, we still need help and would love to hear from anyone who would like to join our grounds team on a voluntary basis initially which might lead to future part time employment.”

The award for the Southern League was won by Craig Russell of Chesham United, with the groundsmen of Bedworth United and St Neots Town finishing second and third respectively.

AFC Totton, along with Taunton, were highly commended.