SAFC v Norwich postponement - ref almost didn't get there!

It's emerged today that conditions were so treacherous in the north-east on Saturday morning because of overnight snow, that the referee for the match nearly didn't get to the Stadium of Light to do the pitch inspection!

Up to ten inches of snow fell in the north east of England overnight on Friday night/Saturday morning, with further falls and freezing temperatures forecast for the rest of the day, resulting in some roads being barely passable and several accidents and closures on the A19. Police were advising the public not to travel unless their trip was vital because the heavier than expected snowfall had proved too much for gritters, even though they had been out all night.

Conditions were so bad that match referee David Pugh came close to not being able to get to the Stadium at all, to perform the pitch inspection. Mr Pugh was unable to use his own car, so called a taxi - but because of the road conditions, no taxi firms were willing to make the trip to take him to his destination. He eventually got to the Stadium courtesy of a lift by Northumbria Police in one of their four wheel drive vehicles.

Stadium staff had been at the ground since 5.30am on Saturday clearing snow from the pitch and public walkways, but the match was postponed ultimately because of road conditions outside the ground.

Around 2,000 Norwich supporters had set off before dawn to make sure they arrived before the scheduled 12.30 kick off, but they were stoical about the situation. Canaries' manager Nigel Worthington said "Sunderland wanted to try and get the game on. There was some snow on some part of the pitch which they were working on getting rid of.

“The major problem was the surrounding area and the car park and, taking all that into consideration, it was a common-sense decision and not anybody's fault.

“I just feel sorry for the supporters who have had a wasted journey in bad weather conditions. Hopefully, they will all get back home safely."