From the spy head to the pitch: Jeankes journey at KV Mechelen

For this episode of ‘Greenkeeper aan het woord’, we looked ‘behind the barracks’ in Mechelen. In front of the AFAS stadium, ‘Jeanke’ rules over all things green. He is also an avid supporter of tradition club KV Mechelen. Jeanke has been involved with the club since the age of 16, first as a volunteer and now for many years as greenkeeper. His passion for KV Mechelen is clear: he considers the stadium as well as the pitch as his own ’garden’.

Jan Van Seghbroeck: “As greenkeeper, I am responsible for the extensive maintenance of the football pitch, which means that I mow daily and also have more than enough to do with pruning, overseeding, fertilising and other related tasks. For this, I work closely with my loyal colleague Jordy and also get a lot of support from Kim and Thierry of De Ceuster, with whom KV Mechelen has a contract running.”

Weather-dependent work

“Actually, someone like me is eighty per cent dependent on the weather,” Jan continues. “The challenges of maintaining a football pitch perfectly are therefore very diverse. Still, quite a difference from the past. The requirements for a turf in the Pro League are ‘like night and day’ compared to before. 

Those big mud puddles in front of the goals, which you saw twenty years ago, are no longer acceptable. Now the pitch has to be immaculate in all circumstances, while the number of matches and training sessions has greatly increased. But despite the stricter wishes and requirements, I am really proud of the quality of the KV Mechelen pitch - one of the four natural grass pitches in the Belgian league - which is known as one of the best in Belgium. Fitting for a tradition club like ours, I think.” 

The future of hybrid turf

Because besides his work as a greenkeeper, ‘Jeanke’ is also a big fan of KV Mechelen. He watches the matches both from his professional perspective and as a supporter, always keeping an eye on the state of the pitch.

Jan: “I can assure you that I watch every match with a double feeling. I support at least as hard as the rest, but when I see a player start a slide or kick into the ground, I still can't help thinking about what repair work I will have to do again after the match. Because it is often puzzling, to restore everything to its original state.”

“Actually, a hybrid turf could solve a lot. Because with such a mat, fibres are woven every two centimetres, going between 16 and 18 centimetres deep. A hybrid grass mat is therefore much stronger than a natural grass mat and is just about always playable. It remains future music for now, but is still something to look forward to as a passionate greenkeeper.”

Between two worlds, football and family business

Jan Van Seghbroeck is part of a deal between De Ceuster and KV Mechelen. He, along with Jordy, is employed by the family-run business from Sint-Katelijne-Waver, but is - to put it in football terms - ‘loaned out’ to KV Mechelen. 

“Of course, that has some serious advantages. We work in the stadium mainly with some Dennis cage mowers. 

But when we need something, like sanders, plugs..., I only have to drive a few kilometres and I have access to De Ceuster's gigantic machine park. I really appreciate that open-door policy enormously and the family atmosphere just extends from De Ceuster to KV Mechelen and vice versa. My role is quite unique and I am very proud of my contribution to the club, both as an employee and as a supporter,” laughs ‘Jeanke’.