Watford have received the EFL's Championship Grounds Team of the Season award for their work on Vicarage Road this season.

At the weekend, head groundsman Scott Tingley told the Watford Observer about the challenges he faced in the Championship, as well as the praise he received from players and supporters alike.

"People have called us the 12th man and stuff like that and it makes a big difference," he said. "It's nice to have your work commended in that way. There's kind of a saying that if no one's talking about the pitches then there's probably not an issue, but I think this season we've gone the other way and it's encouraging.

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"We're kind of seen and not heard, unless it's in a poor condition, but I think it's part of the family aspect of the club that everyone's involved and everyone's recognised."

Upon receiving the award, Tingley thanked the rest of his team, made up of 12 others, and said his job was "a passion" as well as his career.

“I’d just like to thank my staff for their hard work and contribution in what has been a very difficult year for us,” he told the club website.

“It’s nice. Everyone wants a pat on the back but at the end of the day we don’t really do it for that. It’s a job, but it’s more than a job as well, it’s a passion. It’s nice to be rewarded, it’s nice for people to notice it. It’s good for the lads as well, for my team to understand it is appreciated. We’ve got one lad in particular who’s a Watford fan and to him it means everything.”