This is Derbyshire --THERE'S no time for sitting down on the job for the team charged with cleaning the seats – all 33,000 of them – at Pride Park Stadium.
A team of about 20 people started the mammoth task in the blazing heat this week, as part of a new cleaning contract at the venue.
Quantum – a maintenance firm located less than a mile from the ground – has secured a three-year deal with Rams to clean the stadium.
Company director Brett Critchley said it was great news for both the firm and Rams supporters.
He said: "It's a good contract for us. We're advertising for additional cleaning staff and internal staff. We'll be able to recruit another 20 staff.
"It's good for the supporters, too. When fans pay all the money a season ticket costs, they want good, pristine seats and that's what they'll be getting."
With the new football season less than a month away, Quantum is having to work fast to get the stadium ready on time to welcome back thousands of supporters.
Mr Critchley said: "We're just starting to get ready for the new season. The first job is to clean all the seats – that's the biggest job.
"We're cleaning every single seat and it's not as simple as you might think.
"We're not just simply given them a wipe down. We're cleaning the front, back, top and bottom. Muck and dirt gets right in the back of the seats and you have to use the proper chemicals to give them a thorough clean.
"We've had 20-odd people cleaning the seats in the heat. It's a big job – the first day we managed to do between 3,000 and 4,000 seats."
There are further big jobs ahead during the season.
Mr Critchley said: "We'll be cleaning the stadium after every single game, coming in and tidying around the seats.
"What Derby County is very good at is investing money back into the stadium to make sure it is a nice, clean environment for supporters.
"They don't cut corners, that's for sure."
The Rams kick off the new season on Sunday, August 4, against Blackburn Rovers.
Yesterday, the club revealed tickets for the match will cost £4.50 for under-12s in the new family area, in the north-east corner.
This offer is available until 5pm on Monday.
To buy tickets, visit the stadium ticket office or call 0871 472 1884. Reported by This is 10 hours ago.