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Video: Posh fans praised for their efforts to get the game on
Monday, 9.30am: Overnight temperatures of -15C scuppered any chance of Posh tackling Championship leaders West Ham at London Road on Saturday.
That freezing fact didn’t stop 200 Posh fans, club staff, the Posh youth team, and a smattering of Hammers supporters, turning up at the crack of dawn to clear the pitch of several inches of snow.
Their work was complete by 8am, but a cursory pitch inspection by Peterborough-based Football League referee Kevin Wright confirmed all the effort had been in vain.
The thermometers, the ones that weren’t frozen solid, were still showing -10 at the time of the postponement. Posh didn’t even bother removing the sheet that had been protecting the surface all week.
Posh chief executive officer Bob Symns, who was on duty with other members of his staff at 6am, was still full of praise for the fans that turned up to try and save the sell-out fixture.
“It was a fantastic turn-out,” Symns said. “The club are touched by the response to our appeal for help.
“To see so many fans at the ground so early in the morning in such awful weather was inspiring. They worked hard and fast as well, but the temperature overnight killed us.
“It was -15 at the ground and apparently -16 in Holbeach. It wasn’t forecast to be that bad and if it had been -4 as predicted we would have had a chance.
“It’s a shame for everyone at the club, but there was no way the game could have gone ahead.”
Symns addressed the helpers when the postponement was confirmed and promised the club would recognise their efforts.
“You have been special for us today so the club will do something special for you in the future,” Symns added.
Posh director of football Barry Fry was also at London Road at 6am. Chairman Darragh MacAnthony was en route to London Road when the decision to postpone was taken.
It’s a particular disappointment for the man who has bankrolled the recent Posh success as he is only in the country from his Florida base for seven days.
MacAnthony even gambled away £20,000 on delaying the pitch inspection until Saturday.
MacAnthony said: “I know we are all gutted that the game is off, but we gave it the best chance. I gambled 20k by leaving the inspection until Saturday as we still have to pay costs of police, stewards and food etc.
“The big man upstairs obviously wanted this game off for a reason. Maybe West Ham will be visiting us to win the title when game is back on? Interesting!
“I’ve never been more disappointed about a game getting called off as I’ll probably be in the United States when this fixture is played.
“What an atmosphere Hammers and Posh fans would have generated on Saturday. It’s just our luck that our first sell-out in years is frozen off.
“Thanks to all our volunteers and staff though. The support was magnificent on Saturday and it’s days like this that make me feel proud to own a football club.”
Were you at London Road on Saturday morning? Share your experiences
Comment below, email alan.swann@peterboroughtoday.co.uk, or comment on Twitter to @swannyPosh.
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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Leo87
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 05:26 PMlmao Noddlebar ditto. I went back to bed after cold hungover and tired!!!
noodlebar
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 02:04 PMWas there at 7am on the dot, nursing a hangover but got stuck in. Funny when you went to get a coffee and the milk was frozen!
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