Leeds United’s Championship rivals are furious when Storm Babet forces a last-minute scheduled postponement.
Following the late postponement of Friday evening’s match against Rotherham United, several fans of Leeds United’s Championship rivals Ipswich Town vented their displeasure on social media.
barely before 5 p.m. on Friday, October 20, the Millers’ home game against Ipswich was called off due to’supporter safety’ concerns, barely three hours before the game was supposed to begin. Despite the fact that majority of Ipswich’s traveling party had already been or was in progress to South Yorkshire, Rotherham issued a statement confirming the decision.
“Rotherham United’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Ipswich Town has been postponed on the grounds of supporter safety following discussions with representatives from the Safety Advisory Group and the EFL which took place shortly after 4:30pm on Friday,” the club said in a statement.
“After the River Don burst its banks around the perimeter of AESSEAL New York Stadium, urgent discussions were held between representatives from the Safety Advisory Group/Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, club safety personnel, and the EFL, with the conclusion that the weather conditions and their subsequent effect on the surrounding area posed a danger to supporters.”
“This coupled with continued rainfall resulting in the flood waters rising and Don Street being closed to the public
Ipswich supporters vented their rage on the social networking site X, formerly known as Twitter, venting their displeasure at the lack of notification.
“Statement this morning ‘expected to go ahead’ – not one mention of the river flooding, no communication throughout the day,” complained @IpswichCulture. Everyone could see the river flooding, but you allowed fans to travel upstream. A simple’possibility of postponing’ announcement would have been beneficial.”
“Managed to get 20 miles from Rotherham before “the safety of the spectators is important” postponement,” says @andydbayford. I saw a lot of good posts from your [Rotherham] fans early in the day saying it should be rescheduled before we left. I left at 12:45 and returned at 20:45, never getting out of the car, kudos!”
@mfox24: “I got within 30 minutes of Rotherham, battling the elements, and am now on my way home.” What a waste of time and money for everyone. This was always going to happen if the river levels rose!”
“I had a hotel and trains booked,” said @mattstew100. I got as far as Grantham, which took 4 hours, just to find out it was closed, which seemed plausible at midday.
“Correct decision,” says @BinyonBlue. “It’s 3-4 hours too late!”
Despite the travel and transportation challenges affecting match-goers across the country as a result of Storm Babet, Leeds’ away game at Norwich City this afternoon is still planned to go ahead.
