Our Behind the Badge series shines a spotlight on some of the unsung heroes who help make Edgbaston so special.
No-one epitomises the inclusive nature of the Bears Family more than groundsman Dave Keen who marks 30 years at Edgbaston in 2025.
He’s a routines man who knows every element of his job in meticulous detail. And that routine starts every morning at 5.58am from Chester Road railway station…
“I’m David Keen. I started on Monday the 24th of April 1995, 30 years ago this year.
“I catch the 5.58am train from Chester Road train station. It gets me into New Street at 6.15am. Then I get the number 47 bus to Edgbaston. It’s a good service.”
Dave knows his public transport timetables. And he knows his groundskeeping.
He arrived at Edgbaston in 1995 following a two-year YTS (Youth Training Scheme) placement with the historic Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens and a brief stint with Boldmere Golf Club.
He’s now an important part of the seven-strong grounds team who care for Edgbaston’s greenery and prepare some of the finest surfaces in world cricket.
He’s a familiar site in the stadium on Major Match Days, helping prepare the pitch, marking out the white lines and feverishly firming up bowlers’ foot holes – his pistol legs pounding 10-to-the-dozen stamping down the sand.
He is a Tasmanian Devil of unbridled energy around the stadium. “He walks faster than most people can run,” said his boss Gary Barwell, Edgbaston’s Head of Sports Turf.
“I’ll roll the tube up, put the covers on, stumps in, paint the wicket, white lines, but sweeping the wicket first,” said Dave, who names Dougie Brown as he favourite former player. “Plus strimming, edging, collecting leaves in the autumn. I love doing that with the Billy Goat (the leaf collector).
“We keep busy, there’s always lots to do. The job keeps you fit.”
Matchdays can be 15 hours long and, thanks to the great British weather, it’s a tough work out running covers and drying up.
But the 54-year-old – who’s only missed one day sick in three decades – said he loves being part of the Edgbaston team.
“There’s nothing I don’t like about the work here, everything,” he added. “And it’s a nice team. When the weather’s nice, blue sky, it’s lovely.
“When it comes to September at the end of the season, everything is put away. Sheets put away. And they come out the following year.
“It’s nice being a Bear. I was 24 when I started here. I’m 54 now. My eyebrows have gone grey.”
Dave has a flawless memory for dates, including the birthdays of all fellow ground staff and their families. No-one goes without a birthday card.
Barwell added: “Dave makes every day that bit better. It’s a privilege to work with him, he’s always chatty, helpful…and he makes a lovely brew!
“Since I started here in 2012, I’ve always had a birthday card, my daughters have always had cards, and every member of the team. If the world was filled with people like Dave it’d be a happier place.
“He’s a real team player, always busy, completes every job with conviction and enthusiasm. He’s here, there and everywhere. If I need the team here at 7, he’ll be here at 6.30am.
“He’s good at his work, but also as a person. I couldn’t wish for a more genuinely lovely guy to work with.”
Blast is back! Early Bird tickets on sale now
It’s back and bigger than ever. With nine home match days and six double-headers, there’s something for everyone. Blast with the Bears, its the most fun in cricket.
Tickets, starting from just £15, at discounted Early Bird prices but hurry these end on 7 May.
