Safety first with Oxford United call-off

9:30am Saturday 19th January 2013 in Oxford Utd Photograph of the Author By Mark Edwards, Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451

Groundsman Rory Moore tries to clear snow off the Kassam Stadium pitch yesterday Groundsman Rory Moore tries to clear snow off the Kassam Stadium pitch yesterday

TRY as they might, the weather had the final say as Oxford United’s clash against Rotherham was called off yesterday afternoon over fears of safety.

The U’s were confident earlier in the day that the pitch – which had been covered since Tuesday – would be playable, but had voiced concerns over the amount of snow falling.

They had called a 10am inspection for this morning, but the decision was taken out of their hands.

A statement from the club read: “With the weather conditions deteriorating throughout Friday, the home game against Rotherham United at the Kassam Stadium has now been postponed on safety grounds.

“The original plan was for a 10am pitch inspection on Saturday morning, but the approach roads, stands and surrounding areas have become treacherous.

“Spectator safety is a priority and after consultation with the local authority the game has been called off.”

Local non-league games were also decimated by the weather.

Oxford City’s home Blue Square Bet North clash against Halifax was called off at 2pm yesterday, while the Evo-Stik Southern League games involving Banbury United, Abingdon United and Didcot Town are expected to be called off this morning.

Southern League rules state no games can be called off officially until the day of the match.

North Leigh’s game at Tiverton faces an 8.30am pitch inspection.

All games scheduled for Oxford City Council’s pitches were called off at lunchtime yesterday, while the entire Oxfordshire Senior League, North Berks League, Witney & District FA, Oxford Mail Boys League, Oxford Mail Girls League and the Giles Sports Witney Youth League programmes were suspended.

Comments(17)

BigAlBiker says...
11:30am Sat 19 Jan 13

Spectator safety, right, so is the Bowlplex, Frankie and Benny's, the Chinese, the bingo and gym closed as well?

No I thought not, as usual fans get treated poorly and the good old elf and safety have to be seen to do something, wasters the lot of them.

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disco80 says...
11:40am Sat 19 Jan 13

Yep i agree Bigalbiker if the pitch is still playable then every effort should have been made to salt the car park, and maybe the very 1st few rows of seats as i cant see it being dangerous once inside the ground. Think our health and safety bloke is a knob.!!! Like you say the little old grannie playing bingo will quite easily manage to walk from blackbirds leys or the kassam carpark

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Ians view says...
1:42pm Sat 19 Jan 13

I might have past the attention of some, but some people would be expected to travel from places as far away as Rotherham.

The ground and the car park night be safe, but what about the roads form Yorkshire to Oxford? Perhaps the away supporters will not travel, but what about the players, coach driver, etc.

It's silly nonsense to suggest that the GAME should have continued in these dangerous conditions.

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BigAlBiker says...
1:56pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Who gives a flying hoot about Rotherham fans travelling down?

Three points is all we want and do you think they would be so kind to us?

No, another bad day for the home fans..

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oldun says...
4:59pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Pity we missed out - with all three of Northampton, going bust Town and undersoil heated Wycombe managing to play - and win - at home

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train passenger says...
5:57pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Rotherham fans will find a lot more traffic on their way here on any other Saturday, roads extremely quiet today and motorways easy to navigate. This country is getting softer at a frightening pace.

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oldun says...
7:02pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Ians view wrote:
I might have past the attention of some, but some people would be expected to travel from places as far away as Rotherham.

The ground and the car park night be safe, but what about the roads form Yorkshire to Oxford? Perhaps the away supporters will not travel, but what about the players, coach driver, etc.

It's silly nonsense to suggest that the GAME should have continued in these dangerous conditions.
Not a consideration - just a guess, I know . If so, then what about the fans who travelled all over the country today - including through snowy 'Glamorgan' to Swansea or from Reading the short trip to Newcastle. Mind you tomorrow, Moanchester United fans have the short trip from Surrey to Tottenham .

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Chickengeorge44 says...
7:55pm Sat 19 Jan 13

If you slip down the stairs on the way to your seat then TS. I went to watch Werder Bremen v Dortmund today as I knew the game would be off. £29 flight, £31 hotel, 12 Euro ticket to stand and minus 6 temp.Had a few beers in the ground, stood up & a good sing song. Time we got our Sh/t together over here.

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dorsetyellows says...
11:20pm Sat 19 Jan 13

If the great PDC should fall from grace, i am sure we can accommodate him here at the Kassam with our apparent shortfall in our ground staff and catering . At least you get a game of footie and a pizza with this man pulling the strings !

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Ians view says...
12:36am Sun 20 Jan 13

What are the top three read articles on this website tonight?

MOST READ
Woman killed in car crash
Weekend snow blog: Updates, information and pictures
Update: M40 open again after accident

I think that justifies calling off a GAME of football. Those matches that went ahead... ££££ ahead of common sense.

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Busybody1 says...
6:53am Sun 20 Jan 13

Poor reporting again from the oxford mail

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Megastar07 says...
12:49pm Sun 20 Jan 13

Main roads clear if wycombe,Northampton,
and Swindon on then there's really no reason
It will cost us later,mark my words

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The 31st Ali says...
8:28am Mon 21 Jan 13

Affraid of snow? Swnidon played and won cause we're men and oxford didn't cause there not! Haha **** Oxford haha

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The 31st Ali says...
8:28am Mon 21 Jan 13

Bastards

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BezzaYellow says...
9:28am Mon 21 Jan 13

I take it the restaurants, bingo and bowling alley were all closed to....?

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oldun says...
9:53am Mon 21 Jan 13

The 31st Ali wrote:
Affraid of snow? Swnidon played and won cause we're men and oxford didn't cause there not! Haha **** Oxford haha
Going bust!

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PT1 says...
8:56am Thu 24 Jan 13

BezzaYellow wrote:
I take it the restaurants, bingo and bowling alley were all closed to....?
They don't see in excess of 6'000 people trying to get into the car park all at once

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