IAN Pritchard always wanted to perform on Hereford United’s pitch - and now he’s getting to know every inch of it.

The life-long United supporter dreamed of playing for the Bulls - but was never good enough to make the grade.

However, Ian has now made the cut as the club’s new groundsman.

“I’ve been a big supporter for years and I’ve been a season ticket holder,” said Ian, who lives in Coleford in the Forest of Dean.

“I’ve been going to watch Hereford for 25 years - I’ve been a big supporter since the age of five.

“I played football in my younger days and dreamed of playing for Hereford United but was never good enough.”

Ian, who runs Mowtech, came to the club’s notice when Hereford played a preseason friendly at Lydbrook last season.

“Hereford had a preseason friendly at one of my local club’s, Lydbrook Football Club, which I look after, and the Hereford players thought it was good surface.”

Ian was offered the contract to look after the pitch and he’s been a familiar face at Edgar Street over the summer.

He is considering cutting grass circles into the pitch for United’s first pre-season home friendly against Birmingham City on July 23.

“The owners want a good pitch to play on and they’ve given me a good budget,” said Ian.

“We are up here four days a week and I will probably be at the ground five times a week during the season.

“The main thing is making sure the pitch is OK immediately after matches. The pitch looks good but I don’t know how good the pitch is going to be over the winter months - it depends on the conditions and the number of matches.”