GREEN-FINGERED workmen were descending on York City today after it was decided to re-turf parts of the Bootham Crescent pitch.

After an extensive summer repair programme sections of the surface, most notably an area in front of the Main Stand, have been blighted by the failure of seed to take root.

However, it is expected the repairs will have taken root well before the season's kick-off on August 11, when City entertain Rushden & Diamonds.

As reported in the Evening Press, the club undertook major pitch renovations at Bootham Crescent at the end of last season in a bid to safeguard the surface should last winter's monsoon-like conditions return.

Where the ground 'dipped' in three areas the grass had been scalped off and the left over holes filled with 22 tons of soil to leave a true level.

Four new drains were also installed; two running the length of the pitch and two smaller ones running beyond the 18-yard boxes at either end.

Some 110 tons of sand were also poured on to the pitch to level the ground up and help with the drainage and root-system.

Updated: 11:54 Wednesday, July 11, 2001