The ECB today confirmed the 2011 Groundsman of the Year Awards and Andy Fogarty from Yorkshire CCC is the winner in the four-day category for his great work at Headingley.

David Measor of Emirates Durham ICG and Steve Birks of Trent Bridge sharied the runner-up prize. In the one-day category, the winner was Steve Birks with the runner-up prize awarded to Andy Fogarty - is his mantelpiece big enough?

Commendations went to Keith Exton (SWALEC Stadium), Mick Hunt (Lord’s) and Sean Williams (Bristol) in the four-day pitch category, while Simon Lee (Taunton), Andy Ward (Grace Road) and Stuart Kerrison (Chelmsford) were commended in the one-day category.

Will Relf at Loughborough is the winner for pitches at MCC Universities with John Moden at Fenners runner-up. Ross Spry at Cheltenham was awarded the Outgrounds prize with Terry Glover and Matt Merchant runner-up in respect of their work at Liverpool.

Every pitch is rated at the end of the match by each of the umpires with these ratings used as the basis for making the awards.

Many congratulations to Andy and his hard working team.

JAMES BUTTLER