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This current spell of cold weather certainly appears to have gotten under the skin of more than a few on my Twitter/X timeline over the past few days. Anything from ‘running scared’ to ‘a few injuries’ just a couple of the reasons why ‘clubs’ postponed games over the weekend.
Never let a good conspiracy theory get in the way of real reasons why we didn’t see much action over the 48hr period, it seems everyone knows exactly how to be a groundsman or being able to predict the weather suitably enough to ensure every game can be played.
Let’s take that a little bit further and give a better account of what really goes on and having been in conversation with a PMGOL match referee over the course of the past weekend to ensure I understand how the system works.
I’ve had some dealings in the past, many years ago my late father was a groundsman, not so many years ago I was a Step 6 club secretary, I know my way around but I don’t profess to know 100% because I’m not a professor of the turf, nor as a meteorologist able to predict how quick a football pitch can defrost itself.
If you’re keen to read on and see exactly what the process is via a referee then please grab yourself a subscription for the full article or feel free to keep yourself in the dark, for some I’m sure that might be more fun!
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Many of you will be aware who actually calls the game, it’s never been in doubt, some like to think it’s the opposite because it makes a good thread but just full of inconsistent irregularities, it is of course a referee or the match referee only.
The only thing that differs is the level of football where the rules are the same but the timeframe isn’t always one that fits perfectly. As I mentioned above I’ve spoken to a referee within the PMGOL to ascertain the procedure that’s followed.
It is true that it’s down to the home club to raise any concerns about the state of a pitch whether that be heavy rain or indeed like we experienced this weekend the cold snap that has frozen a lot of the country.
Most home clubs are quite proactive and willing to reach out in ensure that they’re not putting themselves in the firing line by either asking for a late inspection or none at all with some precarious conditions.
The lower the level the later the inspection can take place as with less travelling it’s not a bone of contention. When you look at the National League it becomes a different kettle of fish because there is so much travelling involved in a majority of fixtures, but I’ll come onto that a little later.
Not every referee can inspect at every level i.e. those at National League level wouldn’t be looking at EFL or PL pitches and likewise as you move down the steps in non-league.
Clubs are allowed to call in a local referee who can share their views with the appointed match official if they live a fair distance away from the home ground, sometimes there will be a difference of opinion, and a second inspection called when the match referee arrives.
Television do put a lot of pressure on decisions, which given Barnet vs Chesterfield was due to broadcast live on TNT Sports on Saturday evening, maybe that has calmed itself down a bit given you’re dealing with player safety versus keeping an armchair audience happy.
Now going back to that point earlier about travel and also one that is the complete crux of the matter, the decision itself. If you think anyone but the referee makes the decision at any level from the Premier League down to Step 6 or 7 of non-league football, then please give your head a little wobble.
The clueless statements and arguments I saw at the weekend really makes you wonder at times what happens inside the mind of others. It’s not even rational what is said, just an agenda suiting tweet or message because you can.
And with that everyone was a groundsman who could tell by looking at their thawed back garden over hundred miles away that a pitch was suitable for play? Did you even stop to think that while the surface was looking lush days of consecutive freezing temperatures means under that top layer takes longer to come back to life?
Of course not, that doesn’t fit the message! Nor does the fact if you believe that temperatures rising to 5 degrees positive manages to counteract three to four days of zero or below, it’s just absurd.
Now with this in mind as a supporter, what would you prefer? An early call off? A call off before travel begins? Or a call off while you’re on the road or even worse within sight of the final destination?
Well, judging by some they strangely prefer the very last option, why I have no idea you would want to waste time getting off the driveway, that’s just bizarre.
In all honesty, none of the three we would agree to, we want to watch a game of football but we seem to have no patience levels for when the weather turns and forces us to have a day off, it is what it is.
What I would like to see however is no inspection takes place after a team or it’s supporters has to leave. Why in this day and age should we be wasting time, money and fuel when it can be prevented? There were one or two what I would call ‘naughty ones’ happening on Saturday morning, sorry no need for it to be happening, at any level.
If there is any doubt then think of the repercussions for everyone involved. That money saved might send that person to the replayed game, send them halfway down the motorway and that’s the fuel gone with it possibly their attendance in the re-arranged fixture, it’s too short sighted.
Clubs and fans can’t afford to be writing off money, those who say, ‘you travel at your own expense’, we’ll remind you of that when it happens to you or your own club, not so great when the boot is on the other foot.
Now I’m not using this piece as an advocate for 3G or 4G pitches, far from it. Our winters are nowhere near as harsh as when I was growing up but they are still there occasionally, the leniency and allowance for bad weather doesn’t appear to be.
Me, I’d much prefer to know where I was early if it’s possible, it meant a different game and location for me and again that’s not for everyone but it’s what I do, frustration I understand when it comes to the decision but applying some logic goes a long way.
Let me know your thoughts in the comment below, should there be a few extra bits brought in around and regarding inspections? No answer is right or wrong, all a matter of opinion.
