The Grassroots of Football: Alec Hamilton’s Journey with A.F.C. Wimbledon
By Alex Barkus and Alex Pheasant
In the world of the game that we all love and enjoy, where the spotlight and attention often shine on star players in spectacular matches, a group of unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the games go ahead without hesitation exist – the groundskeepers. Lately, I have had the opportunity to discuss with Alec Hamilton, who volunteers for league-two club A.F.C. Wimbledon. In this interview, Alec gave us an insight into what really happens on the pitch for a build-up to a game, the ups and downs and most of all, the importance of the job that takes place with no one watching.
Alec revealed that when he first signed up, it was for a volunteering day on their training ground, which is based in New Malden, in the Summer of 2021. ‘It sounded like fun’, he says, ‘giving back to the community was a massive part of it.’ After a couple more training sessions at the club, they gave Alec a job offer, commenting on how much of a hard worker he is. With a massive love for the sport, Hamilton knew it wasn’t an opportunity he could pass up.
Preserving a football pitch, especially as a lower-level club, comes with many challenges. In big Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City, ‘There are basically staff for every millimetre of the pitch.’ He tells us with a grin. Arriving about three hours before the kick of a home game, Alec gets straight to work. From fixing an advertising board to having a quick trim off the grass or putting the kit out. With only a regular workforce of three (including Alec), ‘ a quick turnaround is needed for the best possible conditions for the players.’
Starting the matchday, Hamilton would often arrive up to three hours before the kick-off. Getting straight to work is critical, and Alec goes to the Head Groundskeeper at A.F.C. Wimbledon – Luke Bowden – to see what jobs he has to do. Jumping into his uniform, Hamilton gets to work. Picking up everything he needs for the day whilst checking everything is in stock – the mowers are charged and ready, and the paint is all ready. After that, Alec starts picking up litter and basic maintenance jobs such as sweeping and bagging the leaves. Next, ‘it will really depend,’ Hamilton says, ‘ you might give a quick trim to the grass on the pitch or check that the paint around the edge is nice and tidy – maybe even paint it orange if it were snowing.’
Afterwards, about an hour from kick-off, Hamilton will make the finishing touches. Whether it’s fixing a drooping goal net or putting out the kit for the players, the time pressure is on. Then, he will roll out the training goals for the respective ‘keepers to warm up. Setting up the sprinklers is crucial to maintaining the pitch, ‘ and an opportunity to spray the away players if they get too close,’ Alec tells us with a grin. Tweet! The whistle blows, and the first half is underway. At the interval, Hamilton will roll the goals back out in case any substitutes need to warm up. The final whistle blows and it is nearly time to go home. Put the corner flags out, repair anything that might’ve got damaged in the match; then it’s done.
‘The pressure is very real’, Hamilton admits, ‘with 9,000 people expecting us and the team to put up a show… you can’t stand around doing nothing for even a second, or it won’t go ahead.’ Now that he knows the art of keeping a pitch in perfect condition, he notices that every time he goes to a Tottenham game – his premier league club, he understands what the grounds workers are doing for everything to go smoothly.
Giving to his community was a massive part of taking the A.F.C. job; Alec tells us, ‘If there is anyone who is at home on weekends or holidays and they don’t really know what they want to do, go and see if there is anyone in your community who needs help,’ He explained. Giving back to the community is a massive part of why Hamilton is so keen to volunteer. ‘It’s exciting to see the old volunteers of Wimbledon F.C. who worked in the 1980s and led the club to win the F.A Cup in 1988.’ Even if it’s not football, Alec says to us, try to help in your town to make a difference. ‘It could be anywhere, a library or some tutoring – anything can make a great impact on your town.’
When asked about his favourite moments at the club, he mentioned the magic of what big F.A. Cup games are like. ‘My personal favourite,’ he says with a smile, ‘ is when we played Wrexham at home, and I had a little chat with Ben Foster; I even got a photo!’ he exclaimed. Others, such as Portsmouth, ‘Even though they might not be your premier league club, they’re still a fully professional side looking to go up to the Championship next season.’ Alec commented.
As our conversation drew to an end, Hamilton underlined the point of always helping in your community and how it’s such an excellent opportunity to meet new people, see cool things and support great causes. Connecting to your community can make a real difference, and he encouraged us to try out something or volunteer because it’s always worth a shot. It’s clear to us that Alec has a real passion for his job at A.F.C. Wimbledon, and the next time you watch a lower-level side play, remember all the hard work and effort that has gone into all of it.
