Specsavers Best Worst Pitch
Turfix partners with Specsavers and Gary Neville for the 'Best Worst Pitch' campaign - helping 50 grassroots football clubs fix poor pitch markings with new line marking machines, paint, and training.
We’ve always believed that a great game starts with a great pitch. That’s why we’re proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Specsavers and ex Manchester United defender and football pundit Gary Neville to launch the nationwide campaign: Specsavers Best Worst Pitch.
This initiative sets out to find the worst marked football pitches across the UK. Yes, we’re talking about those faded, wonky, and downright confusing lines that frustrate players, coaches, and fans alike, and give them a much-needed upgrade.
Whether it’s Sunday league sides or grassroots clubs struggling to keep their pitch in shape, we know that poor line markings can have a serious impact on the game. That’s where our key relationship with partners Pitchmark come in!
In collaboration with Specsavers, and with the support of Neville, Turfix will be equipping 50 lucky football clubs with everything they need to transform their playing surfaces, including:
1 x Eco Lite Spray Marker (printed with bespoke Specsavers branding)
10 x Edge Bag-in-Box 10L Paint (a season’s supply)
1 x Initial GPS Pitch Marking Service to provide the club with accurate markings to follow
1 x Bespoke Training Session on how to use the line painting kit referenced above
Clubs will also receive other goods as part of the competition package, including club consumables such as Specsavers branded corner flags and pitch advertisement wedges, a professional line marking kit to help them with the re-marking of their lines, as well as access to exclusive videos to help them setup their machines ready for marking.
Turfix Heads to Scotland for Specsavers Campaign
The first stop on Turfix’s 50 club tour across the United Kingdom saw Technical Manager Steve Bailey head up to Scotland, where he visited 12 clubs in 12 days. At each visit, Turfix carried out the first pitch marking using the Turf Tank TWO, giving every club crisp, professional lines they can easily over mark throughout the season. Steve was also on hand to help volunteers get set up with their new equipment, thanks to the Turfix and Specsavers partnership.
Steve kicked off his journey in Dumfries, starting at Dalbeattie Star FC. It was a dry but misty day, and the club were really pleased as their junior section has its own kit, making them more self-sufficient and no longer reliant on first-team equipment.
Steve then drove up through Galloway Forest Park to Dalmellington to meet with Craigmark Burntonians J.F.C. It was great for the club to have the Turf Tank accurately mark out their first team pitch, fixing any imperfections in their previous markings. He then continued travelling through the south west of Scotland, including a visit to East Kilbride Colts FC.
One of the early highlights of the trip was a visit to Rhu Amateur FC at Ardenconnel Park, home of the 1967 Scottish Amateur Cup winners, who famously beat Penilee United three goals to one at Hampden Park. Steve loved seeing the huge mural on the clubhouse wall depicting the winning team from that historic final. Despite being a humble and unassuming ground, the club is run entirely by volunteers, who loved seeing the kit and really appreciated the pitch markings.
Steve then made the long drive north to visit Lossiemouth FC, where he met the grounds person who, funnily enough, used to work for Swindon Town FC, just 15 minutes from where Steve lives. As the pitch was being marked out, RAF fighter planes flew overhead, later joined by a double rainbow. The trip then took him to Dufftown FC. When Steve arrived, he was pleased to see that the snow had melted away, as just 24 hours earlier the pitch had been completely covered. He was humbled to receive a bottle of Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Harry Officer, a thoughtful and much appreciated gift, before enjoying a well earned weekend in Dundee and Edinburgh.
The final leg of the trip took Steve to Lochgelly Albert Colts FC and Blackburn United FC, a brilliant way to round off a memorable Scottish adventure. Lochgelly Colts only had a 7v7 pitch to mark, which was the smallest of the weekend, and they also presented Steve with a club pennant that now proudly hangs above his desk at Turfix HQ in Bristol. Blackburn United saw the final 11v11 pitch marked out before Steve made the long journey back to his home in Wiltshire.
Dumfries, Dalbeattie Star FC, Craigmark Burntonians, Shortlees United, Kilwinning Rangers Youth FC, East Kilbride Colts, Hilwood FC, Renfrew Victoria FC, Rhu Amateur FC, Dufftown FC, Lossiemouth FC, Dundee, Lochgelly Albert Colts FC, Blackburn United FC.
Reflecting on his time in Scotland, Technical Manager Steven Bailey looks back on a truly life-fulfilling trip:
“At Turfix we use what we call the ‘stairs analogy.’ No matter the level of football we are working with, whether it is grassroots or professional, our goal is simple. If every time we visit a club we help them take just one step upwards from where they were before, then we have done our job.
“Travelling to Scotland as part of the Specsavers campaign, where we will be visiting 50 clubs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, I had the privilege of meeting so many dedicated volunteers. Their skill levels varied greatly, and some were working with extremely limited resources, yet they all go above and beyond to make sure matches can be played.
"With each club I visited, I left knowing they now had better tools, better guidance and better access to support. We are incredibly fortunate to play a part in raising pitch standards across the world, and this trip was truly rewarding. It is one I will remember for a long time.
“One of my favourite moments on the trip was hearing that a club had used a mop and bucket to mark their pitch. I loved it, not because it was perfect, but because they found a solution. They made sure the game could go ahead, and that is what grassroots football is all about.”