Saturday’s home game against Hull City is in doubt due to the continuing Arctic conditions. While the pitch is expected to be fine, supporter safety both on the way to the ground and at the stadium could see the match postponed.

The pitch has been under cover since the U23s match on Monday with hot air blowers in use, snow having been cleared to the periphery.

Unless there is further heavy snow on Friday evening or Saturday morning the surface is expected to be playable.

However, the area around the stadium is frozen with temperatures not expected to increase significantly before Saturday, while some of the toilets in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand are frozen.

"“There are doubts over the game going ahead as we stand at the moment,” Town stadium manager, Greg Pillinger, told the club site.

""“The safety of the supporters is priority and if we can’t guarantee that with the conditions, then the game can’t go ahead. "

“All the concourses and seating need to be safe for the public to view the match along with the perimeter of the stadium and routes to and from bus stops, car parks and the railway station. This has involved consultation with the local authorities.

“Likewise the police and the Highways Authority have been consulted for their views on the major road networks leading to and from Portman Road.

“Importantly, our own matchday staff, both stewards, catering and corporate, all need to be able to get to the stadium safely and in the correct numbers, in particular the stewards to ensure we meet the minimum numbers to adhere to the Safety Certificate.""

“So, there is much more to it than getting the pitch playable but we are doing all we can to get the game on.”

The Hull squad are set to fly on Friday afternoon, although they have a contingency plan to travel by coach, and the prospects of the game taking place as scheduled will be discussed at a meeting at Portman Road tomorrow morning.

As things stand, manager Mick McCarthy's pre-match press conference will take place at 1pm and will be live on TWTV, however, if the match succumbs to the weather won't take place.

Already, tomorrow's Ex-Players' Association Hall of Fame Dinner has been postponed and rescheduled for Friday 4th May, while Tuesday's Legends of Darts event was also called off and has been rearranged for Wednesday 18th April.

Saturday's U18s and U16s matches at Bristol City have also been postponed, while all academy PDP trials and training sessions were also victims of the weather and will take place next week.

Portman Road's last postponed first team fixture was the game against Watford on Boxing Day 2010 which was surprisingly called off 90 minutes before kick-off due to a frozen area of the pitch.

The Middlesbrough match in February 2012 was abandoned after 37 minutes with the score 0-0 with sections of the pitch having frozen.

Photos: ITFC

TimmyH added 19:50 - Mar 1 Would have played this match 20 odd years ago...it's the bureaucrats and health and safety getting there teeth into everything and the fear factor of a 'blame and shame' culture that wasn't about years ago.
4

brittaniaman added 19:51 - Mar 1 I would imagine that the attendance would be lower than the last game if the game went ahead, also the away support would be low as well. Better if the game played is played on a April evening
8

fents71 added 19:52 - Mar 1 I for one think the club and the local authorities are doing the right thing by putting the public first. The council must be working round the clock dealing with the current weather conditions and if it's decided the game has to be postponed then so be it. Those that are moaning about H&S and the council can always volunteer their services to the council. I'm sure they'd appreciate the extra hands right now ;)

7

grumpyoldman added 20:23 - Mar 1 If it is called off some more may realise as I have that there is more to do on a Saturday than go to PR, perhaps more may not return.
3

1RWR added 20:41 - Mar 1 Don't be a bunch of wuss'. Couple of bags of salt/grit & Bob's your uncle's aunt, sorted! Get out there & get it sorted! It's not rocket science nor difficult to do. Mamby Pambying about gets nothing done! What is this world coming to!
1

terryf added 20:57 - Mar 1 Make an early decision and call it off. The pitch maybe OK, but I would imagine all the parking areas around and walkways to the ground will still be pretty lethal and then the thought of sitting in a half empty stadium possibly watching yet another nightmare match in sub zero temperatures doesn't exactly tempt me to get in my car. Stay warm everyone.
6

Steelmonkey added 21:02 - Mar 1 With the falling attendance figures why bother to clear all the stands we will all be able to fit into one soon.
9

massivemole added 21:29 - Mar 1 At least the cold weather will keep the 9000 fans awake.
2

pazzy added 21:57 - Mar 1 I hope it is called off I have 100 mile round trip as most fans come a way from the ground let common sense take over also it will be very very cold and we will need the loos
5

hollywoodginge added 22:09 - Mar 1 I would not have complained one bit of the decision to abandon this game had already have been announced, In fact I would support that decision. My first thought is for the away fans in particular, football when in your blood makes you push your luck to attend, through illness etc with reckless abandon. The risks wherever you come from and whoever you support are very real and in equal measure, are unnecessary ones. Where there is an opportunity to postpone and ensure that the game can be played on a safer evening for all concerned, surely there is no choice at all. Regardless if you agree or disagree with these sentiments, I wish you and yours all, safety and warmth in these coming days. 👍

12

sarahjean1 added 22:57 - Mar 1 66/1 to reach playoffs got to be worth a flutter
-1

MrJase77 added 23:22 - Mar 1 What is this, the dark ages?! If this match gets postponed because of a bit of snow when there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pitch, some people needs their heads read. Nanny state!
-4

bobble added 03:08 - Mar 2 i would love to be in the snow, havent seen it for over 30 years. would love just to have one day of temperatures in single figures, that would be so pleasant. but one day only, as i am sure i would get sick of it pretty quick.
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:11 - Mar 2 It's been a long time since our pitch could be described as "fine."
8

Northstandveteran added 08:23 - Mar 2 Ipswich are looking for volunteers to shovel snow around the stadium before Saturday's game. In a statement today, the press officer stated "We are appealing to long suffering fans for help, if we can get enough snow brought in, there's still a chance we can get this game called off"
10

lightingblue added 08:48 - Mar 2 I remember when we had joe royle in charge, played away to hull between Christmas and New year. Got out the car and was minus 10 and the car Park was like an ice skating rink. Freezing cold, and remember the hull city stewards giving the elderly and young supporters blankets and a warm drink. I weren't happy I got nowt!
1

lightingblue added 08:49 - Mar 2 Forget to say. We lost 2-1 I think it was
1

essextractorboy93 added 09:16 - Mar 2 More snow forecast for this afternoon and evening. If the game went ahead though there would be a risk of the pitch freezing during the match like the Boro game a few years ago.
2

SheptonMalletBlue added 09:42 - Mar 2 Just play the ruddy game even if it's in an empty stadium, won't be much different to usual!!
1

Gcon added 10:06 - Mar 2 Ever since this snow started my wife has done nothing but stare through the window all day. If it goes on much longer I might have to let her back. Boom-Tishh...I'm here all week, folks x
6

Cheshire_Blue added 10:09 - Mar 2 Surely this must be Mick McCarthy's fault. Everything else is !
2

Carrotblue added 10:48 - Mar 2 I live on the Norfolk coast, please call it off as I cannot get out of my village, season ticket holder at Portman Road since 1980
1

Europablue added 10:53 - Mar 2 I just heard the match has been postponed
1

dangerous30 added 10:57 - Mar 2 Just BBC says it's off
1

dangerous30 added 10:58 - Mar 2 Yes not just
1

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