This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.

Arsenal Football Club and our selected partners use cookies and similar technologies (together “cookies”) that are necessary to present this website, and to ensure you get the best experience of it. If you consent to it, we will also use cookies for analytics and marketing purposes.

See our Cookie Policy to read more about the cookies we set.

You can withdraw and manage your consent at any time, by clicking “Manage cookies” at the bottom of each website page.

Select which cookies you accept

On this site, we always set cookies that are strictly necessary, meaning they are necessary for the site to function properly.

If you consent to it, we will also set other types of cookies. You can provide or withdraw your consent to the different types of cookies using the toggles below. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time, by clicking the link “Manage Cookies”, which is always available at the bottom of the site.

To learn more about what the different types of cookies do, how your data is used when they are set etc, see our Cookie Policy.

These cookies are necessary to make the site work properly, and are always set when you visit the site.

Vendors Teamtailor

These cookies collect information to help us understand how the site is being used.

Vendors Teamtailor

These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. In some cases, they also deliver additional functions on the site.

Vendors Youtube, Meta
Arsenal Football Club career site

Ross Higginson (First Assistant Grounds Person)

  • Nearly two years on, I’ve grown in my role and have progressed to First Assistant. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m proud to be part of this club.

    Ross Higginson

Life at Arsenal For Ross

What's your favourite thing about your role?

What I love most about my role is working at the very highest level of the industry, where the standards are incredibly high, which in turn brings pressures but that’s exactly what drives me. Knowing that every detail matters and that the playing surface we prepare can directly impact performance pushes me to give my best every single day.

Being part of such a skilled and knowledgeable team is another huge highlight. We all share a common goal: to deliver excellence for our club, and that creates a strong sense of pride in what we do. I’m constantly learning and developing, which keeps me motivated and passionate. There’s no better feeling than seeing the result on a matchday, knowing we’ve all played a part in supporting the team’s success on and off the pitch.

What are the three main skills needed to be a First Assistant Grounds Person at Arsenal?

Attention to Detail
Working at the elite level demands attention to detail to produce the best possible pitch, alongside a good understanding of turf health and turf management principles. Qualifications like NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Sports Turf Management, along with ongoing professional development.

Communication and Teamwork
Groundskeeping is a team effort. Clear communication with colleagues, Coaching staff, and other departments is crucial to ensure that everything runs smoothly, especially when working to tight matchday deadlines or adapting plans due to weather or fixture changes.

Dedication & Time Management
The role requires long hours, especially during busy fixture periods. You need to be fully committed and ready to adapt and be flexible to the club’s needs… often working early mornings, evenings, and weekends to maintain the highest standards.

Advice for someone wanting to be a First Assistant Grounds Person at Arsenal?

Get qualified with courses like Level 2 or 3 in Sports Turf Management alongside hands-on experience.

Ask questions, show willingness, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn!

… Be proactive!

If you were to describe the Arsenal working culture in 3 words, what would they be?

Busy. Professional. Passionate.