Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby’s game with Brigg was called off at 7pm because one corner was a bit muddy
Selby Town have been left with a large hole to fill on their balance sheet after their clash with Brigg Town was postponed in farcical circumstances at 7pm last night.
Both teams were ready to go when the three officials and the assessor decided that the pitch was unplayable because of a tiny bit of mud in one of the corners.
To add to the controversy, the pitch was passed fit in the afternoon by a local referee. And since there had been no rain, there was no reason to suspect a late postponement.
It meant that the eight volunteers who worked for two full days to get the pitch in a fit state had their heroic efforts thrown back in their faces. All they got was a big thank you from the club’s chairman Ralph Pearse.
Financially it is bad news for the Robins. As well as the officials’ half-fees and expenses, the expensive cost of electric, food, drinks, raffle prizes and programmes will have to be picked up – despite no revenue coming through the gate.
Over 100 people made the wasted journey to Selby in hope of watching the game. Even Brigg, who travelled some distance, made their fury at the referee’s decision known on Twitter.
Selby’s next game is on Saturday at Glasshoughton Welfare, who played in worse conditions during their magnificent 4-1 win over Shirebrook Town at the weekend.
Eight volunteers worked for two full days to make Selby’s pitch playable…or so they thought
Tonight we arrived at Selby. Then our game was called off after passing an earlier pitch inspection. ☹️ Here are photos of the pitch – it looks good enough to play on, doesn’t it?! pic.twitter.com/dIgkATNEwH
— Brigg Town FC (@officialbrigg) January 23, 2018
absolutely flabbergasted by the decision of match referee tonight. As you can see from these photos the pitch is perfect
finance lost apart we need these games played to avoid having a ridiculous scenario later in the season of having to play Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Awful decision on what was a great night weather-wise for football. A real shame, especially due to all the hard work everyone involved at the club put in.
Why did the officials not consult with the 2 managers. Health and safety gone mad.
Cones set out for both teams to do their warm-ups on pitch players stripped ready to go referee in his best suit leather shoes on walk on the pitch a bit heavy the grass came up to his leather souls three mil thick it’s off the ball didn’t bounce but tuck their seventy four pounds between them did not put football boots on hope we never see him again
Disgraceful – i wonder who’s side the assessor was on – there to assess officials not – to make decision about the pitch
Happened at Goole not so long ago, team traveling all the way from Kendal, only to be told at 1.30 that officials we’re now inspecting the pitch. A frost that gave under pressure , found two patches in goal mouth a bit hard, no harder than pre season I might add. Piss poor.