The Brewery Field Chronicles | Chapter Three | Let there be light

November 22, 2019
, 9:03 pm
, News

With the pitch complete and fast becoming the envy of many across the region and beyond, attention shifted elsewhere.
The Brewery Field is no stranger to a game under the lights. Cup competitions, rescheduled games and winter nights fill up a large chunk of a season, so having the required floodlights in place is essential.
It was only right to show off the immaculate pitch in all its glory.
Before we get into the detail of what exactly was fitted and the power of the lights, let’s look at the FA’s requirements for the National League North and South.

The Brewery Field fell into Grade B of the FA requirements.

Thorn Lighting, based in Spennymoor, came to the ground for a site visit and to evaluate the existing floodlight situation at The Brewery Field.
At the time of their visit there were four floodlighting columns, each with five Thorn Champion 2kW floodlights with HQIT-SL lamps. An additional two Thorn Champion 1kW floodlights with MHN-LA lamps were mounted on the main stand.
All the floodlights were functioning at the time of the site visit, but whilst the floodlighting installation passed the requirements for average and minimum illuminance, it failed the requirements for uniformity.
Below is the floodlight survey chart taken out by Thorn in March which shows the illumination score in each of the 88 quadrants on The Brewery Field, with an average of 277.7 lux.

Taken from the report in March conducted by Thorn, The Brewery Field’s 88 quadrants had an average of 277.7 lux.

The work done over the course of the groundwork has seen a 25% minimum improvement on all 88 quadrants. Significant progress.
The project required 20 pieces of equipment ranging from a 13t Wheeled excavator to a Hiab. For those who don’t know, a Hiab is a lorry mounted crane up to 12t.

The remarkable progress, development and success over the past decade has been a fantastic achievement and it is an honour to contribute to the club’s future goal in striving to achieve Football League status.”

Thirteen people, including a Sign Designer, Electrician and Testing and Commissioning Engineer were provided by MSF, a National Contractor specialising in the supply and installation of traffic signs, lighting, civils and associated work.
Kris Hickman, Business Development Manager of Exterior Lighting Solutions, who played a significant role in the new floodlight installation and maintenance, had more reason than most to get involved with the project.
It may already be obvious to those who have followed the club for many years, but Kris is the son of Spennymoor legend Albert Hickman. Hickman was part of the legendary side that reached the FA Trophy semi-final with Spennymoor United back in 1978, when Moors were eventually knocked out of the competition by Leatherhead. You can actually view footage from that famous game here.
Kris said: “There was even more incentive for me to get involved with the club given my family links with the club and the town.
“I was approached by Tony Wilson several months ago regarding the floodlights which were raising concerns with the FA because of lamps being out. Exterior Lighting Solutions has worked alongside MSF in upgrading the floodlights and contributed towards a tool which the club needs to lower the masts to maintain them in future years.
“I have two sons who play in the Youth Academy and my father played for Spennymoor for many seasons. The remarkable progress, development and success over the past decade has been a fantastic achievement and it is an honour to contribute to the club’s future goal in striving to achieve Football League status.”
Spennymoor’s 5-0 win over Blyth Spartans in September was special for a number of reasons. The scoreline was the obvious one, as well as a big crowd and a first home win of the season.
But, it was also special as it was the first time the new floodlights were in action. The Brewery Field had never looked so good under the lights.
Be sure to read the previous chapters!
Chapter One – https://spennymoortownfc.co.uk/2019/11/20/the-brewery-field-chronicles-chapter-one-the-grass-is-always-greener/
Chapter Two – https://spennymoortownfc.co.uk/2019/11/22/the-brewery-field-chronicles-chapter-two-digging-into-the-detail/