EWOOD'S head groundsman Steve Patrick has claimed yet another top prize, with the nomination as 'First Division Groundsman of the Year'.

The recognition comes as a surprise in a season in which the main Ewood pitch has shown unusual signs of wear and tear. But it is understood that the state of all the club's facilities are considered when voting takes place and the pitch was probably not as badly affected when the judging was held.

And the playing conditions at Brockhall, and especially the new Academy, are rated as good as any in the country.

Steve, who was top Premiership groundsman and also overall winner in 1996, has been Premiership runner-up in the past three years before clinching this season's First Division prize.

But he said: "I am more pleased for the rest of the staff than myself and especially for Trevor Wilkin. We have three sites now and, although I am in overall charge and have the ultimate responsibility, if the award is made primarily for Ewood then Trevor deserves all the credit as he is the main man there.

"It has been a tough season but he has still done a great job at the main stadium."