Preparations are all thaw nothing

The Hatters drew criticism from some quarters for failing to postpone their match against York City earlier this month that was abandoned because of a second half blizzard.

And while some supporters felt that Tuesday’s game could have gone ahead, director Stephen Browne revealed there was never any chance.

He said: “My understanding is the area by the tunnel was frozen and not all of the pitch was playable.

“The bit down by the tunnel is notorious. That’s been frozen many times in the past.

“Different areas take different lengths of time to thaw.

“Down by the tunnel you are completely sheltered and when you are testing the pitch it’s the first place you test.”

In order for the pitch to have been playable they would have needed at least a four to five hour spell of temperatures around five to six degrees Celsius.

That meant that it was an easy call to postpone it around midday on Monday.

Browne continued: “The forecasts never got anywhere close to it.

“You have to have an inspection at some point. At midday we knew the pitch wouldn’t be playable.

“Sometimes on others (like the York game) it’s a close call.

“On the one hand you are leaving a decision as late as possible for a game to be played.

“Other times you are trying to make the decision as soon as possible to avoid putting people out.”

And he revealed that the damage was probably done when they took the covers off to get the Minstermen game on.

Browne said: “It was always a risk just taking the covers off to get the York game on.”

The club have also been busy addressing supporters querying the postponement.

Browne continued: “I put it down more to misconceptions over when decisions are made. For us the whole pitch has to be playable. In this weather too it’s been very localised.

“Last minute changes are annoying for everyone and disappointing.”

A lack of games is also a financial concern, but Town’s generous investors have helped to mitigate the problems.

Browne added: “It does have a huge effect, especially in the festive period where people more historically turn out.

“We would have planned for quite a lot of income during the games and I would think every team in the league is like that.

“Where we are very lucky is very supportive investors. Yes it effects the club but through the help of the investors we get around that.

“I would have thought quite a lot of clubs would be having problems over this period because they would have banked on games.”