THIS picture of former Bury groundsman Rodney Lester was first featured in the Memory Lane page on March 23.

Ian Jamieson and Bob Mather correctly identified him inspecting a frozen pitch at Gigg Lane before the planned derby match against Bolton Wanderers on December 28, 1985.

Ian said: “In the early 1980s I sponsored the club via my company. Jim Iley was manager and Wilf McGuiness his assistant.

"I knew the groundsman in your feature as Rod. He was very dedicated to his job and was responsible for Bury FC’s ground being considered one of the best playing surfaces in the Football League.

"I became a Football League referee and not many supporters will be aware that Rod often turned out for midweek reserve matches at Gigg Lane when a player didn’t turn up.

"Rod also did the kit, collecting and washing it. He probably did the job of several people, saving the club having to pay a number of wages.”

Bob added: “Rod was a Hawkshaw lad, born the youngest member of the Lester family.

"I think he joined the ground staff around 1978 when long-serving groundsman Tommy Marshall was still around.

"The photo was taken after the 1985 alterations to the main stand following the Bradford fire disaster.”