FC Gabala training complex and field are well reported by the local media. Those field and pitches are good references for the all football of Azerbaijan and represent Gabala”s professional right approach to the club development. A special team takes a great part in reaching those fields up to the current high level.

When English natural grass specialist Philip Sharples came to Gabala, he was also determined to develop specialists in our club at his field. Now some good hearings of Azerbaijani turf specialists, produced by Sharples, are coming from different arenas of the country not only in Gabala.

One of them is Orkhan Yunusov talking to the Gabala FK newspaper:

“I started to grow grass from 1st February 2012 when I was doing this for Gabala pitches under the lead of Philip Sharples. From the courses he provided, Ruslan Abdullayev, Rashad Jabbarov and I got theoretical knowledge of growing grass. In a year of the courses, we had already put in practice what we learned and implemented them for Gabala pitches. When the course year ended, head of the world-wide famous Pitchcare Dave Saltman visited Gabala and estimated the results of our works giving the certification of the company. Now we are going on as natural turf specialists and appreciate management of FC Gabala for developing us to this. During the reign of Philip, we were 3 persons but now it is more with new colleagues”.

“FIFA sent a message of thanks”

Orkhan, Ruslan and Rashad worked not only for Gabala pitches but also other fields in Azerbaijan. They have valuable efforts for the fields of the country where U17 Women's World Cup 2012 was held.

Ruslan says: -- “We left to Baku on 1st September. I joined the turf operations on the pitch of FC Baku Sports Academy. Orkhan worked for the Lankaran City Stadium and Rashad for the 8th Kilometer Stadium. The task was to provide improvement services to the world cup stadiums and take them under control. At the 8th Kilometer Stadium, we all worked under the lead of Philip and FIFA send a message of thanks to us after we finished. 

This work was realized by Philip”s initiative and the AFFA”s assignment. The FC Gabala management accepted this initiative positive. Now it is gratifying us that we could take a part in the all jobs for hosting the world class championship at high level. We got some great practices doing this. But we still need to improve our knowledge and abilities on growing grass”.

Gabala FK newspaper