Latics start operation snow!

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ATHLETIC have issued an urgent appeal to fans to get down to Boundary Park as soon as possible — armed with any snow-clearing equipment they can lay their hands on.

The club are hoping for around 100 supporters to aid with the operation of clearing around four inches of snow from the pitch today and tomorrow in order to give the club the best possible chance of staging festive fixtures.

Given the continuing low temperatures that are forecast, the likelihood is that the Boxing Day clash with Carlisle United will fall foul of the freezing conditions.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy, head groundsman Lee Williams and manager Paul Dickov were planning to walk on the pitch to look under the frost covers today and an inspection for the Carlisle fixture is set to take place tomorrow morning.

But while the game against the Cumbrians has only an outside chance of taking place, the help of an army of volunteers will greatly increase the chances of staging the Rochdale derby on Monday, January 3 (3pm kick-off).

“We are hoping for a terrific turn-out of 100 people to come down here with shovels and wheelbarrows,” said Hardy.

“The more come down to assist us, the better. If we can get all the snow off, then if temperatures do rise slightly as anticipated it means the thaw won’t result in it all melting to leave a waterlogged pitch.”

Athletic have also issued an appeal for fan co-operation over ticketing arrangements for the Rochdale game.

No Athletic supporters will be accommodated in the Leesfield Developments Rochdale Road Stand and will instead be relocated to either the Detect All Chaddy End or the Main Stand.

Season-ticket holders in the Rochdale Road End need to exchange their season-ticket voucher for a match ticket in one of the other two stands.

Only a small number have done so and the club is concerned that this could lead to delays on the day of the game and the possibility of operating at a reduced capacity.



ATHLETIC under-18s' home game against Blackpool was another victim of the weather.



They would have entered the contest in buoyant mood, having pushed Manchester City all the way before falling to a 6-5 defeat in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

Blackpool’s only defeat in nine matches was a 2-0 reverse against Athletic.