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SportsBorussia Dortmund signs award-winning greenkeeper Scott Tingley from Watford
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Borussia Dortmund (BVB) has signed Scott Tingley, an award-winning greenkeeper from English Championship club FC Watford, as their new Head of Grounds. Tingley, known as the 'turf pope,' will oversee the pitches at Signal Iduna Park, the training ground in Brackel, and the Rote Erde stadium starting in October 2026. The English Football League named Tingley and his team the best ground crew in the Championship in May 2025, and they previously won the same award in the Premier League during the 2017/18 season. BVB boss Lars Ricken expressed satisfaction with the signing, stating the club aims to improve in all areas. Former Bundesliga player Omar Traoré, now at Watford, praised the outstanding turf conditions. Tingley revealed that both Zlatan Ibrahimović and Pep Guardiola had complimented the pitch at Watford. The move is seen as a unique transfer from the Championship to the Bundesliga.
Source report
Dortmund – Borussia Dortmund has secured a high-profile signing from the English Championship, bringing in a new turf specialist from FC Watford.
According to information from BILD and the Watford Observer, BVB has signed award-winning greenkeeper Scott Tingley as the club's new Head of Grounds. He will begin his duties in October.
Tingley and his team will be responsible for maintaining the pitch at Signal Iduna Park, as well as the fields at the training ground in Brackel and the "Rote Erde" stadium.
BVB Boss Confirms Signing
BVB managing director Lars Ricken (50) told BILD:
"We said we want to improve in all areas, and we are very happy to have secured an excellent man in Scott Tingley."
A Greenkeeping Pedigree
Tingley is regarded as an absolute authority in his field. The profession of greenkeeper was practically handed down to him – his father previously cared for the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium.
In May 2025, the English Football League named Tingley and his team the best ground team in the Championship. He had previously received the same honour with Watford in the Premier League during the 2017/18 season.
After ten years at Watford, Tingley is now seeking a new challenge in the Bundesliga.
Praise from Players and Legends
Omar Traoré (28), a former Bundesliga professional (Heidenheim) who recently moved to Watford, told BILD:
"I noticed it right after my move. The conditions here are outstanding. The turf is really good."
The Watford fan site The Watford Way bid farewell to the "turf master" with a special tribute, noting that Tingley is moving "from the Yellow Brick Road to the Yellow Wall" – from the famous access road to Watford's stadium to the world-famous Yellow Wall in Dortmund.
In the fan podcast Do Not Scratch Your Eyes, Tingley revealed which compliments he was particularly proud of: both Zlatan Ibrahimović and Pep Guardiola had expressly praised the "hallowed turf" in Watford.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Borussia Dortmund Hires Award-Winning Greenkeeper Scott Tingley from Watford