I wonder how much of this lack of attention to detail can be attributed to all the staff changes at the Valley - all comes across as pretty unprofessional I'm afraid
Even more embarrassing is that all the decent information is coming from Barnsley sites.
Totally agree. We deserve every brickbat thrown at us. I had so hoped for a feeling of 'New era, new start' but the ghosts of the toxic twins still hover over everything.
This appears on the club's website: Arriving shortly before midday, the official inspected the playing surface and later shared some concerns with club officials and managers from both sides. A further inspection was carried out just after one o'clock when he made the decision to postpone the fixture on safety grounds.
Referee Iain Williamson is quoted on the club's website as saying “I was here just before midday. I came out to the field of play and I was very concerned straight away. You take into account: the fans, viewing the game, whether or not it will be a farce but mainly it's player safety.”
If the referee made an inspection shortly after he had arrived, and had immediate concerns, why did he wait to pass on those concerns? Moreover, why was there not an inspection at, say, 10am? All in all, a disgrace. I think of all those who have shelled out dosh and travelled a long way. Some will have had better things to do today, but loyalty would have seem them commit to attending. Some may be committed elsewhere when the game is played.
Charlton had given every indication that the game would be on. Yet the ref believed the pitch to be unsafe. What a farce. (And yes, I travelled to The Valley, having checked the club website at 1245 and believed the game to be on. And I had other things to do today and it's too late to do them now). Very hacked off.
So how long does it take to get a new drainage system installed and is it worth getting the Oxford game moved to an away fixture and postponing the next x amount of home games now?
Whole pitch has to be dug up and relaid as far as I know - not something you should do mid-season. Maybe we have to consider a ground-share until the end of the season???
Well with only one more home game this month (that'll be postponed anyway if we get to the next round of the cup) and only two in February, it's now or never.... or in the summer.
Just realised that 22nd Feb is most likely 5th round day so another possible postponement. 2/3 of the next two months home league games.
Gives us until 8th March to be ready.
Charlton in the 5th round? Nice one.
Not saying we will be in the 5th round, just that some Championship games on that date will be postponed so we could effectively sweep it under the carpet with rest.
Apparently round 5 is a week earlier this season anyway. Never mind.
I wonder how much of this lack of attention to detail can be attributed to all the staff changes at the Valley - all comes across as pretty unprofessional I'm afraid
My under 7s trained this morning on a school pitch, it was fine ok a little heavy but ok to play on, we are a pro club and the pitch is a disgrace , all this crap about safety reasons if it was rugby they would play as did my under 7s this morning wot a crock of shit.
My under 7s trained this morning on a school pitch, it was fine ok a little heavy but ok to play on, we are a pro club and the pitch is a disgrace , all this crap about safety reasons if it was rugby they would play as did my under 7s this morning wot a crock of shit.
Only game called off today. On coach from Worthing got to Orpington, got home at 3. No statement from club. WHY NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Its our Fault.
Why do people keep saying they are embarrassed? Are you getting mixed up with 'annoyed'? I'm annoyed that the game's not on, but would rather that than another Doncaster. I get embarrassed if I trip over or if I have to stand up and talk in front of strangers. I don't get embarrassed if a referee calls my team's game off...I get annoyed.
We're embarrassed for the club! We've been ridiculed on Talksport
Why do people keep saying they are embarrassed? Are you getting mixed up with 'annoyed'? I'm annoyed that the game's not on, but would rather that than another Doncaster. I get embarrassed if I trip over or if I have to stand up and talk in front of strangers. I don't get embarrassed if a referee calls my team's game off...I get annoyed.
We're embarrassed for the club! We've been ridiculed on Talksport
Why do people keep saying they are embarrassed? Are you getting mixed up with 'annoyed'? I'm annoyed that the game's not on, but would rather that than another Doncaster. I get embarrassed if I trip over or if I have to stand up and talk in front of strangers. I don't get embarrassed if a referee calls my team's game off...I get annoyed.
If you invited 10 people to your house for a meal but couldn't be arsed to check that your oven worked until an hour or two before they were due to arrive and then discovered that it didn't you'd be embarrassed.
This is the footballing equivalent and as a Charlton fan I'm embarrassed that my Club is woefully incompetent.
One can also be annoyed at wasting time and money on a wild goose chase.
If it was the overnight rain that was the problem, an inspection yesterday would not have helped. What seems obvious to me is that if there is doubt an inspection should go ahead before way fans are likely to have set off. If that means the ref having to get out of bed early, so be it. Still need to hear the club's official line to properly judge why nobody thought to ask for that.
Sorry for the Barnsley faithful but it has happened to us in the past.
There has been a pitch problem for a very long time and sadly I imagine Paddy will be getting his P45.
Why should Paddy get his p45? When he's been given the budget to produce a decent pitch he's done so. Not his fault that the club have failed to provide the wonga to do the requisite work over the years.
Why do people keep saying they are embarrassed? Are you getting mixed up with 'annoyed'? I'm annoyed that the game's not on, but would rather that than another Doncaster. I get embarrassed if I trip over or if I have to stand up and talk in front of strangers. I don't get embarrassed if a referee calls my team's game off...I get annoyed.
If you invited 10 people to your house for a meal but couldn't be arsed to check that your oven worked until an hour or two before they were due to arrive and then discovered that it didn't you'd be embarrassed.
This is the footballing equivalent and as a Charlton fan I'm embarrassed that my Club is woefully incompetent.
One can also be annoyed at wasting time and money on a wild goose chase.
Absolute joke Charlton , i won't now being going to the Oxford cup game now. All the talk about closing the East stand for home fans , the lower north will be more than adequate
Even more embarrassing is that all the decent information is coming from Barnsley sites.
Totally agree. We deserve every brickbat thrown at us. I had so hoped for a feeling of 'New era, new start' but the ghosts of the toxic twins still hover over everything.
Our staff have all gone home, back Tuesday 6 pm to get ready for the cup game.
We had lunch in the Keith Peacock Suite and learned of the postponement whilst we were eating. Had a look at the pitch and it didn't seem too bad, but I was viewing from the Upper West so couldn't see it too clearly. I did hear that when the ref was bouncing the ball it stopped dead and wouldn't roll and that those walking on the pitch were sinking into it.
The dome was in the corner of the West Stand car park so hasn't gone, though I don't know when it was removed from the pitch. If it was removed yesterday, it seems silly, bearing in mind that rain was forecast last night.
We had a wasted journey, but the meal will have been free as the hospitality package will have to be provided for the re-arranged match, just as it was for the match against Doncaster.
Absolute joke Charlton , i won't now being going to the Oxford cup game now. All the talk about closing the East stand for home fans , the lower north will be more than adequate
I'm with you mate - **** 'em on Tuesday. (Not that the game will be on, I suspect). They don't deserve our support when they treat us like this.
What I don't understand is if it is true that Barnsley were warned at 11.53 that the game was in doubt why on earth couldn't they have put that out on twitter to the outside world?
I live in North London - not miles away but a good 2 hour drive through the shit traffic out this way and then nearer the ground. I have to leave at 12.15 to ensure I arrive in time and was half way when I heard on the radio that the game was off. Just totally beyond me that there wasn't an earlier inspection so I didn't have to drive 2 hours for nothing.
It was only a coincidence that we got taken over a week ago - imagine how bad the pitch would be if matches are still getting postponed even with a newly acquired dome over it?
Comments
Classy charlton
Arriving shortly before midday, the official inspected the playing surface and later shared some concerns with club officials and managers from both sides. A further inspection was carried out just after one o'clock when he made the decision to postpone the fixture on safety grounds.
Referee Iain Williamson is quoted on the club's website as saying “I was here just before midday. I came out to the field of play and I was very concerned straight away. You take into account: the fans, viewing the game, whether or not it will be a farce but mainly it's player safety.”
If the referee made an inspection shortly after he had arrived, and had immediate concerns, why did he wait to pass on those concerns? Moreover, why was there not an inspection at, say, 10am?
All in all, a disgrace. I think of all those who have shelled out dosh and travelled a long way. Some will have had better things to do today, but loyalty would have seem them commit to attending. Some may be committed elsewhere when the game is played.
Charlton had given every indication that the game would be on. Yet the ref believed the pitch to be unsafe. What a farce.
(And yes, I travelled to The Valley, having checked the club website at 1245 and believed the game to be on. And I had other things to do today and it's too late to do them now).
Very hacked off.
Apparently round 5 is a week earlier this season anyway. Never mind.
No statement from club. WHY NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Its our Fault.
You know which option was taken.
Had a good drink in the Radical but would much rather be at the game. Sorry for those from both clubs who had to travel a long way.
Some over reactions but some sad WUM from off it also
Not right but the blame lies squarely with a regime that wouldn't pay for basic maintainance let alone improvements.
Sort it out Kate
I think more more would want to go as well and we would play in a full stadium. Lovely ground.
Today I got it
Just got back from The Valley. Whoever approved that article stating they were expecting no problems has some serious explaining to do.
This is the footballing equivalent and as a Charlton fan I'm embarrassed that my Club is woefully incompetent.
One can also be annoyed at wasting time and money on a wild goose chase.
The dome was in the corner of the West Stand car park so hasn't gone, though I don't know when it was removed from the pitch. If it was removed yesterday, it seems silly, bearing in mind that rain was forecast last night.
We had a wasted journey, but the meal will have been free as the hospitality package will have to be provided for the re-arranged match, just as it was for the match against Doncaster.
What I don't understand is if it is true that Barnsley were warned at 11.53 that the game was in doubt why on earth couldn't they have put that out on twitter to the outside world?
I live in North London - not miles away but a good 2 hour drive through the shit traffic out this way and then nearer the ground. I have to leave at 12.15 to ensure I arrive in time and was half way when I heard on the radio that the game was off. Just totally beyond me that there wasn't an earlier inspection so I didn't have to drive 2 hours for nothing.