Pitch efforts show the power of fans (From Worcester News)

Pitch efforts show the power of fans

9:00am Tuesday 23rd February 2010 in

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GIVING up a well-earned lie-in to shovel snow off a football pitch may not seem like everybody’s idea of fun.

Yet that is exactly what a handful of Worcester City supporters did to ensure their club could play a match — and everyone of them should be congratulated.

Their efforts ensured both Saturday’s match against Havant and Waterlooville and last night’s visit of Newport County could go ahead.

Without it, the snow would have remained on the pitch, forcing a postponement, and the knock-on effect would have jeopardised the chances of playing the Blue Square South leaders.

New director Andrew Watson and Rob Crean, from the club’s supporters’ trust, were among those to sacrifice a morning in the warm to lend a hand.

Colin Layland, the director responsible for the ground, said: “I was very pleased with the turn-out when the call for help was made.

“About 20 people came out and it helped the pitch both on Saturday and last night by having the covers on. We are very grateful to our sponsors Pinches Transport as they supplied us with the majority of the covers. We already had some older ones but we asked if they had any more and they gave us some tarpaulins from their lorries.”

It is actions like these that demonstrate the community spirit which still exists at the club. Yet it never ceases to amaze me what some fans are prepared to blame those in power for.

Over the years, there have been plenty of things to lay at the feet of the City power brokers — ground moves, a rising debt and the social club to name three.

But calling them to account for acts of God is a bit steep.

In recent weeks, there has been criticism over the handling of matches postponed because of the weather.

It has been claimed not enough was done to protect the pitch at a time when the St George’s Lane club needed the money most.

Between December 19 and January 30, City had six games claimed by the elements, costing them thousands in lost revenue, but to blame the directors is ludicrous.

To start with, the decision is often taken out of their hands by the referee, as it was with the original Newport fixture on Boxing Day and the FA Trophy last 16 clash against Kidderminster.

The latter should have gone ahead in my opinion and, ironically, the pitch was in a worse state 48 hours later when the match took place.

Otherwise, City are in the lap of the Gods. All the cash-strapped club has at their disposal to keep the freeze at bay is a few covers.

They also have to consider supporter safety and make sure the terraces and forecourt are cleared of ice.

Sadly, those in charge are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, and Layland, who works hard alongside groundsman Paul Humphries, felt the criticism has been unfair.

He said: “I think it was unjust because if teams like Leicester in the Championship have to call games off, what chance has a club like Worcester got? Other teams have far more resources than us.”