Sickener

MARK MOISLEY . . . low temperatures not forecast

ATHLETIC chief executive Mark Moisley revealed everyone at the club was 'sick' when Saturday's Sky Bet League One game against Peterborough at SportsDirect.com Park was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Moisley also admitted that Leicestershire referee John Brooks may have been 'a bit hasty' when making the call at approximately 12.30pm.

Athletic's was the only game in the top five divisions to be called off, leading to anger from some fans who reacted with near disbelief at the news.

Plunging temperatures during Saturday morning appeared to scupper Athletic's chances of the match going ahead.

Moisley explained: "Our groundsmen thought the pitch was playable at 9am, but then the temperature dropped over the next couple of hours.

"There were one or two hard patches, but we felt it was still playable.

'PLAYABLE'
"Both managers felt it was playable, but the referee came, had a look at it and had a run on it, then just made the decision. That was the end of that.

"He was concerned about a strip that ran in between the touchline and the centre of the pitch, a strip that went pretty much the full length of the pitch.

"From our perspective, while not necessarily disagreeing with the decision, we did feel maybe it was a bit hasty.

"The referee could have given it a bit longer, because it definitely warmed up over the next hour.

"We felt there was nothing particularly to be gained by calling it off as opposed to possibly giving it an hour.

"I'm not saying it would have definitely been playable by 1.30pm, but he could have given every chance."

A number of fans questioned the wisdom of not placing covers on the pitch on Friday evening, but clearly the forecast played a part in that particular decision.

"The forecast was for two degrees overnight, so we don't put covers on at two degrees," added Moisley.

"It ended up an minus three, which was not forecast.

"Yes, if we had put the covers on it may have given us a better chance, but the covers would have been off by 9am and with the drop in temperature after then, there was no guarantee that wit the covers on, it would have been on.

"We're all sick with the decision to lose a game, of course we are, but that's just the way it is I'm afraid."

A date was set to be agreed for the rearranged fixture today as Moisley was due to speak to his opposite number at London Road.

Meanwhile, midfielder Luke Woodland has left Athletic after his short-term deal expired, and he has joined National League side York City.

Athletic boss Stephen Robinson said: "Unfortunately we couldn't give Luke as much game time as we initially envisaged.

"He was travelling a long way and he wasn't on great money, so we thought it best to give him the opportunity to go and play football with York.

"We wish him all the best because he's a super boy, and he's one of those who, with more games under his belt, could come back again."