Burnley, Derby County and Newport County have been named 2022/23 Grounds Teams of the Season in the EFL.
Grounds Teams throughout the EFL work tirelessly to make sure pitch surfaces are of a high quality through all weather and conditions, and the Grounds Teams of the Season awards celebrate staff who have produced the best quality playing surfaces in each division.
Burnley have only suffered one league defeat on their Turf Moor pitch this season, and the Clarets will be lifting the Sky Bet Championship title there on Monday, 8 May in their final game of the campaign.
Watford and Stoke City were also highly commended in the Championship.
Saturday's visit of Portsmouth will be the 29th game to be held at Derby's Pride Park this season and they will be hoping for a 30th by finishing in the Sky Bet League One Play-Offs.
Portsmouth and Ipswich Town were also highly commended in League One.
And Newport County deserve a special mention, with their Grounds Team having won the Sky Bet League Two award in back-to-back seasons for their Rodney Parade surface.
Carlisle United and Stockport County were also highly commended in League Two.
To inform the decision-making, pitch marks are provided by the referee and away team manager for all EFL League matches. The top Clubs from each division with the highest divisional average are then visited by Neil Rodger, from STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute), where further assessments are carried out, which cover pitch quality, environmental conditions and usage, resources, management and sustainability.
Once all Club visits have taken place, in-depth reports and recommendations are submitted to the Playing Surfaces Committee, at which point winners are determined.
The winners of each division will receive a trophy and certificate, while highly Commended Clubs will receive a certificate.
Championship
Winner - Burnley
Highly Commended – Watford
Highly Commended – Stoke City
League One
Winner - Derby County
Highly Commended – Portsmouth
Highly Commended – Ipswich Town
League Two
Winner – Newport County
Highly Commended – Carlisle United
Highly Commended – Stockport County
