That game had to be called off. Certain parts of the pitch where the ball wouldn’t bounce or wouldn’t roll. Dangerous and frustrating for the players. And more heavy rain on the way apparently during the game. My only gripe is why it wasn’t called off earlier. This late decision is not good for the fans.
A lot of abuse for the ref but what options did he have?
If the pitch isn't playable, it's not playable.
Seems he gave the groundstaff as much time as possible to get the pitch playable but they couldn't.
Kick in the guts for the travelling fans and not what we wanted when we are playing well but the ref doesn't control the weather.
If there is evidence that the ref made an incorrect decision then lets hear it.
How would that be possible without starting the match?
By passing the ball in the centre circle or other areas of concern beforehand - where it duly clogged up to a standstill - shows that it's a reasonable decision.
I think this sort of thing is a pisstake for fans but as annoyed I am on every traveller's behalf (home and away, everyone's giving up their day), the fans are always gonna get shafted.
The least worst option here imo is for clubs, or leagues etc to take out insurance against last minute postponements to reimburse fans for travel, cos as I understand it you don't even get that, so anyone booking transport or using petrol at the least gets something back in addition to the ticket refund
I'm about 40 minutes from Crawley, just taken the dog for a walk, got wet but it's hardly a monsoon. Can't believe it was left that late to make a decision. Will be interesting to see if the managers were in agreement or if one was one wasn't. Form we are in I'd expect us to have wanted to play.
We have a big game on Saturday and I don't think it will hurt us to miss this one. I'm in Canterbury and after the deluge it is still raining and that pitch at Crawley would only deteriorate as the game went on. It's not nice for ticket holders but the ref made the right decision in my opinion.
That game had to be called off. Certain parts of the pitch where the ball wouldn’t bounce or wouldn’t roll. Dangerous and frustrating for the players. And more heavy rain on the way apparently during the game. My only gripe is why it wasn’t called off earlier. This late decision is not good for the fans.
Don't think we are annoyed about the decision about it being called off.
I'm about 40 minutes from Crawley, just taken the dog for a walk, got wet but it's hardly a monsoon. Can't believe it was left that late to make a decision. Will be interesting to see if the managers were in agreement or if one was one wasn't. Form we are in I'd expect us to have wanted to play.
40 minutes is quiet a trip away, the weather can be different either side of the North Downs, the weather turned around midday, so it couldn’t have been postponed that early.
and my lord some of you really do behave like entitled toddlers.
It’s really annoying for those who travelled, but the ground staff were given as long as possible to fix it, and didn’t.
That game had to be called off. Certain parts of the pitch where the ball wouldn’t bounce or wouldn’t roll. Dangerous and frustrating for the players. And more heavy rain on the way apparently during the game. My only gripe is why it wasn’t called off earlier. This late decision is not good for the fans.
Ironically for me that would have made it a more enjoyable match to watch with a bit of luck / unknown elements to contend with.
But in the hygiened world of football it’s just not allowed.
Only other matches called off are in the Manchester area where there has been seriously flooding. Stockport town centre is under water yet their match goes ahead.
But a team in the SE gets a match called off. No standing water. No puddles.
Crap decision.
Just as well they aint playing in Stockport town centre then. I can't remember if the Stockport ground sits on a hill.
It's near the river isn't it? So presumably in a valley. Was always the answer to the question "which league ground is closest to the Mersey". Obviously that will change when Everton move into their new ground.
Very disappointing but does sound like the pitch wasn't playable and they gave it every chance. Proper woke nonsense, we need proper refs with proper English names like Trevor Kettle making these important calls
That game had to be called off. Certain parts of the pitch where the ball wouldn’t bounce or wouldn’t roll. Dangerous and frustrating for the players. And more heavy rain on the way apparently during the game. My only gripe is why it wasn’t called off earlier. This late decision is not good for the fans.
We found a cracking pub (Goffs Manor) and a superb lunch - walked in ground at exact time it was called off - very poor by Ref to leave it until then - I’m actually not that fussed, as watching football in these conditions is no fun at all
Great performance from a bouyant in form squad in the away changing room. The way the lads handled their kit and pre match ritual was a step above what we have seen this season, before our mini run of recent success. Leaburn rolls the socks back down his long legs, shin pads tumbling onto the floor. Hats off to the kit man who played a blinder scooping up the kit and folding it neatly into a pile. Physio hands out water wings for the warm down and great to see Aneke back in action, blowing up the giant inflatable pineapple, careful Chuks you don't want to strain an external oblique! Send the Welsh interpreter home, he can have the day off, with a final "blwyddyn newydd dda 2025" from a soggy Crawley.
We found a cracking pub (Goffs Manor) and a superb lunch - walked in ground at exact time it was called off - very poor by Ref to leave it until then - I’m actually not that fussed, as watching football in these conditions is no fun at all
Crawley have always had problems with their pitch for years whenever it rains, no reason this couldn't have been a 1030 pitch inspection and saved people the journey.
Should have dug it up & just put sand down. Didnt hurt Chelsea did it.
Birmingham miss a great chance to take the lead after one player gets put through, Stockport struggle to score and May strikes from just outside the area.
Hopefully Stockport will slowly fall back down the League with the loss of Louie Barry
Absolute joke. Proper woke decision with no consideration for the fans.
Shame for the fans who travelled today but as I said earlier why play in shocking conditions when we are on a roll and yet the ball will stop rolling. Amazed it wasn't called off earlier when they knew the local forecast.
Back to the Darts and Racing and then will watch a 2nd half on Sky now.
Comments
Just remember the first few days of 2025 is WTF
Then we go on from there.
I think this sort of thing is a pisstake for fans but as annoyed I am on every traveller's behalf (home and away, everyone's giving up their day), the fans are always gonna get shafted.
The least worst option here imo is for clubs, or leagues etc to take out insurance against last minute postponements to reimburse fans for travel, cos as I understand it you don't even get that, so anyone booking transport or using petrol at the least gets something back in addition to the ticket refund
It is the timing when it was called off.
were given as long as possible to fix it, and didn’t.
@jimmymelrose
The evidence you asked for
Birmingham miss a great chance to take the lead after one player gets put through, Stockport struggle to score and May strikes from just outside the area.
Hopefully Stockport will slowly fall back down the League with the loss of Louie Barry
Shame for the fans who travelled today but as I said earlier why play in shocking conditions when we are on a roll and yet the ball will stop rolling.
Amazed it wasn't called off earlier when they knew the local forecast.
Back to the Darts and Racing and then will watch a 2nd half on Sky now.