SWINDON Town's groundstaff are among those being recognised by this year's by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards.

Town's head groundsman Marcus Cassidy is contesting the SISGrass Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year Award with now-Championship side Rotherham United after his County Ground playing surface surpassed the the average rating for a League Two surface for the 12th year in succession.

Cassidy's surface was nominated for League Two pitch of the year, with an average score of 4.29, compared to the league average of 3.890, despite heavy usage last season when hosting Town training sessions as well as matches.

The award is open to grounds teams in the English Leagues One and Two, National League, National League North/South, Scottish Championship and Leagues One and Two, Ireland and Wales professional leagues.

Bath Rugby's Recreation Ground is also nominated for an accolade - the National Governing Bodies’ Professional Multi-Sports Ground/Facility Team of the Year Award - with Calne's Beversbrook Sports Facility a finalist for the SCH Supplies Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year Award.