Bristol City head groundsman Craig Richardson is in the running for the Coca-Cola Championship Groundsman of the Year award.

The Ashton Gate playing surface has been short-listed in the top three in the English second tier.

All pitches in the league are marked by referees and visiting managers and the clubs with the top three average scores go forward to compete for the overall prize.

A delighted Richardson, who won the League One honour in 2006, said: "We're very happy to be in the top three, having missed out for the past two seasons.

"I always hope to receive the letter and I thought we had a chance, but now we've been confirmed in the top three we must push on to try and win the top honour."

The top three will receive a visit from pitch specialist Dr Stephen Baker in the coming weeks and he will decide the winner. He is due at Ashton Gate on Wednesday.

Given the extreme conditions which have prevailed this winter, Richardson has had his work cut out and has lost only one first-team game to the elements all season.

He recalled: "It's been especially cold this year and I don't remember a time when I've had to use the frost covers so often.

"In some ways, though, it helps because the pitch doesn't tend to cut up as much when it's cold, rather than wet. I think it's a really big achievement for the club. There are plenty of big clubs in the division, many with bigger resources.

"It's a reward for all the work we've put in, including up at the Failand training ground, because the better those pitches are means the players don't have to rely on Ashton Gate to train. It's a cracking team effort for the boys."

Richardson is assisted by Richard Kingscott, Chris Baldwin and Lewis Woodard.

Group managing director Doug Harman said: "Craig Richardson and his staff deserve full credit for their tremendous effort in maintaining the pitches in first-class condition here at Ashton Gate as well as at the training ground.

"The decision taken in 2006 to invest in new pitch technology, drainage and irrigation has proved its worth again. Taking into account the extreme weather problems over the last few months, the pitch is in remarkable condition and everyone is delighted the ground staff's hard work has been recognised with this nomination."

The identity of the other two nominees is not known, but a final decision will be announced before the end of the season.