Cambridge United are delighted to announce Ian Darler is in the running for the FA Groundsman of the Year Award.

The Football Conference have put forward the R Costings Abbey Stadium playing surface as one of their top 5 nominations, meaning Ian will now be judged nationally with other Clubs at Steps 1-4 of the National League System.

All pitches in the Conference are marked by referees and visiting managers and the clubs with the top five average scores going forward to compete for the overall prize.

A delighted Darler, who won the Conference honour in 2006, said: "We're very happy to be in the top five, having missed out for the past two seasons.

"I always hope to receive the letter and I thought we had a chance. Given the extreme conditions which have prevailed this winter, we've had our work cut out and only lost one first-team games to the elements all season, as Oxford was due to frozen utilities.

"It's a reward for all the work everyone has put into the pitch and it's important I thank everyone involved at the Club for their support and especially the volunteer force that work tirelessly to help maintain the surface. It's a real team effort and I can't thank everyone enough.

Chairman Paul Barry added, "Taking into account the extreme weather problems over the last few months, the pitch is in remarkable condition and everyone is delighted the ground staff's hard work has been recognised with this nomination."

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