The cost of Peterborough United's controversial call-off : 'A six-figure disaster for the club'

​It has also generated some extra personal cost for MacAnthony and co-owner Dr Jason Neale as they have committed to paying the travel costs for the near 2,000 visiting fans who had arrived at the game only to suffer a 1.20pm call-off.

The chairman believes a 30-strong fleet of buses from South London to London Road for the rearranged game will cost around £35k.

MacAnthony had flown back to his United States home before the game and was horrified by events at his club.

He has ordered a full investigation with input demanded from the company with a contract to tend the playing surfaces at the Weston Homes Stadium and the club’s training ground.

MacAnthony, speaking on the latest edition of his ‘Hard Truth’ podcast, said: “I was sitting at home at 7.30am watching Liverpool v Chelsea when the club secretary rang and I knew she wouldn’t be delivering good news.

"We wanted this game on. We has the ground sheets on all week with heat lamps to help the side of the pitch which is always a problem.

"The groundsman slept at the ground on Thursday and Friday night. At 9am on Saturday he was happy the pitch was playable and the forecast was ok so the sheets came off.

"The forecast then changed and the bad side of the pitch froze up again and the game ended up getting called off.

"It was incredibly frustrating and not just because it’s a financial six-figure disaster for us having paid for staff to be at the game and the other costs that come on matchday. No club in League One needs that right now.

"Thats not a concern for the Charlton fans and we had to do something to help them so I rang Jason and we sorted something that is not usual, but we we felt was the right thing to do.

"We will transport all the Charlton fans affected by the postponement to the game by paying for 30 coaches which would cost us in the region of £35k.

“It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s the best we could do.

"It’s now vital it never happens again so we have already started work on back-up plans.

"We have started an investigation which will involve speaking to the company who have the contract for our pitches.

"What I will also say is my staff on the ground should not be blamed. We have some phenomenal people behind the scenes – in media, marketing etc – who take great pride in working for the club. They are all blameless and shouldn’t be criticised.”

The Posh co-owners acted swifty to soothe the anger of visiting fans.

On Saturday evening, as well as announcing free travel and delivering an apology to the Charlton staff and supporters, MacAnthony pledged full refunds to any fans who bought tickets to the game, and/or a free ticket to a Posh v Charlton match in a forthcoming season.

Posh fans affected will also be compensated. Initial contact should be made by email to club press officer [email protected].

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