Joy: Latics ‘devastated’ by postponement

Neil Joy: “devastated” by postponement.

ATHLETIC chief executive Neil Joy has admitted the club was “devastated” by the postponement of Saturday’s home clash against Swindon.

Friday’s heavy snow, then ice, put paid to any hope of the match going ahead, the crucial game being called off at a 7.30am pitch inspection on Saturday - the only match postponed in the top four divisions. The decision angered some fans, especially given the much-improved weather conditions by 3pm on Saturday.

Joy also added that Athletic requested the game be rescheduled for tomorrow night, but Swindon refused.

He said: “We were all devastated to lose Saturday’s game. The postponement hits us financially, of course, and ruled out the chance to maintain recent excellent momentum.

“We did everything we could to get the game on. The snow was terrible on Friday. Swindon were intent on travelling early on match-day, so we called an inspection for 7.30am on Saturday. Referee Andy Haines was able to come in early and to be honest, he had an easy decision.

“The anticipated thaw didn’t really happen and on Saturday morning there was an inch of ice on top of an already waterlogged pitch. The surrounding areas were icy too.

“The weather improved on Saturday afternoon, but the areas around the pitch were like a lake and lots of water had penetrated through the frost covers.”

Joy added that Football League rules allow the ‘quick turnaround’ of a fixture, but Swindon officials wouldn’t agree to a rescheduled match taking place tomorrow. They favour a date much later in the calendar - with Tuesday, April 5, now likely.