Andy Munns
There was frustration this weekend as Salisbury’s away trip to Plymouth Parkway was called off just over an hour before kick-off.
The team, it’s staff and supporters had already made the journey south west to Plymouth that morning in preparation for the kick-off.
There was an early morning pitch inspection with a locally based referee utilising Facetime to communicate with the match referee which deemed the pitch playable.
Supporter took this notice to travel and many, as well as the football team and staff headed out on the long drive to Plymouth.
When the match referee had arrived, the pitch was then deemed not fit to play and and in consultation with both managers, the game was postponed at the last minute.
Plymouth Parkway Chairman, Mark Russell has since released a statement, “Firstly I would like to apologise to the people who attended Bolitho Park for yesterday’s game, only be called off at the last minute.
“Last week the ground staff along with many volunteers spent hours on the pitch to try and get the game on, and the pitch was much better than it would have been without so much work being done.
“Saturday morning we called a pitch inspection with a referee approved by the Southern League who also FaceTimed the match referee and at that point the pitch was deemed playable. So, as a club we have followed the procedures set out by the league.
“When the referee arrived we had a few very heavy showers which was the slight difference to the morning and after a lot of consideration and consulting by both managers, it was deemed unplayable which we as a club were extremely disappointed after all the hard work put in by the ground staff and volunteers.
“We also appreciate that people travelled to the ground but this was out of our control when the pitch was deemed playable in the morning following a pitch inspection. The forecast yesterday morning was for a couple of light showers and nothing that we, or the referee who carried out the inspection thought would cause any concern.”
Salisbury supporters who had made the journey were told either when arriving at the ground or informed by Salisbury’s media team or found out via Salisbury’s social media posts, many were not impressed.
Andy Hepplethwaite said on a supporters group page, “Absolutely disgusting from Plymouth Parkway. They have got to be held accountable and pay up to Salisbury fc and the fans too.”
Simon Futcher said, “How does a club get a game as ‘playable’ on an early morning pitch inspection when there has been so much bad weather to then get to 2.00 pm and the ref say it is unplayable. Shocking! I do hope the club get their costs back of travel! Feel for the fans who’ve wasted so much money.”
Trevor Purse added, “We got here just as it was called off. Not happy.”
Things elsewhere, went Salisbury’s way with Gosport Borough losing at home to Beaconsfield Town meaning that without playing, they maintain their four point gap in the table.
Next up for Salisbury is run away league leaders, Chesham United at the Ray Mac on Saturday (9th March 2023). Kick off is at 3pm and tickets are available via the club’s website – https://salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/
