Sports · Cricket · 33 mins ago
Lee Fortis leaves Surrey after disciplinary proceedings
Lee Fortis has left Surrey after more than a decade as the club’s head groundsman.
Surrey placed him on indefinite leave in late July after a reported argument with an England and Wales Cricket Board employee at the Oval.
The dispute led to disciplinary proceedings, but their details and findings have not been made public.
Fortis had also argued with India coach Gautam Gambhir over the Oval pitch in 2025.
His departure leaves Surrey looking for a new groundsman as the Oval prepares to host the World Test Championship final in June and the fifth Ashes Test in late July.
Surrey are expected to start the search in the coming weeks, and Warwickshire’s Gary Barwell is among those being considered.
Lee Fortis has left Surrey after disciplinary proceedings over his conduct.
The club placed him on indefinite leave in late July after an argument with an ECB employee.
Fortis also had a strong exchange with Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy after the incident.
His LinkedIn profile shows he left the club in October.
Surrey’s Oval ground is due to host the World Test Championship final in June and the fifth Ashes Test in late July next season.
- Who
- Lee Fortis, Surrey’s former head groundsman.
- What
- He left the club after disciplinary proceedings over his conduct.
- When
- He left in October 2026. He was placed on leave in late July.
- Where
- Surrey and the Oval in London.
- Why
- The club placed him on leave after an argument with an ECB employee. Details and findings of the proceedings have not been made public.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Surrey placed Fortis on indefinite leave after an argument with an ECB employee.
Fortis’s LinkedIn profile showed that he had left Surrey.
- Surrey role
- Head groundsman for more than a decade
- Joined Surrey
- 2012
- Departure
- October 2026
- Grounds award
- ECB Grounds Manager of the Year, 2022 to 2024
- Upcoming Oval events
- World Test Championship final in June and fifth Ashes Test in late July
3 sources
What people are saying
Lee Fortis has left the club and we wish him well for the future.
You’re just a groundsman, nothing beyond that.
arrogant