Town’s live-on-Sky game at Rotherham United this evening has been postponed on the grounds of supporter safety after the River Don burst its banks.

A statement from the Millers reads: “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.

“After the River Don – which courses around the perimeter of AESSEAL New York Stadium - burst its banks, urgent discussions between representatives from the Safety Advisory Group/Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire Police and club safety personnel and the EFL – were held with the conclusion deeming the weather conditions and their subsequent effect on the surrounding area a danger to supporters.

“This coupled with continued rainfall resulting in the flood waters rising and Don Street being closed to the public left the authorities with no choice but to postpone the game.

“Throughout the day the pitch at AESSEAL New York Stadium has remained playable but with the safety of everyone attending the match at the height of our priorities, the difficult decision to postpone the fixture has been taken.

“The decision was relayed to the EFL and our counterparts at Ipswich Town with all parties in agreement that postponing the fixture was the only possible way to ensure the safety of players, staff and supporters.

“It goes without saying that we are obviously disappointed for supporters due to attend and those set to watch at home given the game was being broadcast live on Sky Sports.”

The heavy rain had caused havoc for Town fans travelling to the game with public transport virtually non-existent.

In addition, supporters coaches bound for South Yorkshire were unable to get to Portman Road leaving hundreds of fans who planned to travel back in Suffolk, fortuitously as it ended up given the decision to call the match off.

Details regarding a new date for the fixture and refunds will be released in due course.

Town are next in action against Bristol City at Ashton Gate next Wednesday evening.

Photo: Action Images

Kilterums added 20:29 - Oct 20 Ah, first world problems! I don't know the ins and outs but would the EFL or SKY have kicked the Millers somewhat if they had postponed early on the basis of a "what if"? Unfortunate that people had travelled but thats life. As somebody else had mentioned, people should be savvy enough to make up their own decision.
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MickMillsTash added 20:50 - Oct 20 Play it tomorrow?
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WonTheCupin78 added 21:03 - Oct 20 Should have been called off 8 hours earlier. Bad decision.
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terryf added 21:52 - Oct 20 Anglia Television........priceless!!! After a brief interview with George Hirst Donny was saying tonight Ipswich are at Rotherham a good hour plus after the match was called off. Presumably the carrier pigeon hadn't arrived at Norwich with the news that the match was off. Of course no bias towards there beloved budgies!!!
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thechangingman added 23:19 - Oct 20 Just home from Rotherham, having heard of the postponement as we arrived in Sheffield! It's fair to say this decision could and SHOULD have been made a LOT earlier in the day, but I kind of blame myself too for being gullible enough to believe the 'official narrative' coming out of Rotherham. Oh well, every day contains chances to grow and learn, and hopefully the refunds/compensation will sweeten our return trip to the re-arranged fixture...

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PhuketPete added 02:42 - Oct 21 This particular long distance away game involving an apparent mismatch in team levels, shouldn’t have been pushed to a Friday night in the first place. It was a bad choice by the Money Men at Sky with an assist from a weak EFL and to be honest a bit of a weak ITFC for not at least complaining on behalf of fans. Now the postponement very badly handled…… but maybe a blessing in disguise..?? The pitch would have been heavy and wet making it harder to play our A game and possibly with an elevated injury risk. Then I read about the many Town fans who may not have arrived in time anyway due public transport, coach and road delays. Whatever - I really feel for the 2000 and hope they get compensation. Whoever said the delay was due to Sky rescheduling etc was probably right so they should be the wines who pay !!

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:59 - Oct 21 Yes, it is ultimately up to fans to make their own decisions as to whether to travel or not, but then they should be given full and reliable information, not fed with positive messages throughout the day about the match going ahead only for that to change at the last minute. Rotherham can now hide behind "the pitch was playable" and pretend they couldn't have forseen otherwise. Doesn't anyone there have the guts and sense to take a proactive decision so that 2000 away fans (and no doubt some home fans as well) don't need to waste their time and money? Poor managment all round!

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dyersdream added 08:25 - Oct 21 Home at 12.45 after being stuck on A1 and £60 of petrol later and taking day off work hold your heads in shame Rotherham could easily been avoided !
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bricor2011 added 08:32 - Oct 21 Rotherham wanted the game to go ahead it would have suited their style of play.
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gosblue added 09:26 - Oct 21 NB: A Tuesday night trip to Brizzle would also be a wasted journey as we are playing on Wednesday. It is a tough call between desperate efforts to get a game on and everyone’s safety. There were two L2 games played last night along with games in Scotland and Ireland. I think the large number of travelling and home supporters involved in our game may have been a factor. If a coach load of Doncaster fans hadn’t made it to Tranmere, it wouldn’t have even been mentioned. I for one couldn’t have got to last night’s game for two reasons. One: I couldn’t get tickets (phew) and two: I couldn’t get out of my village because of floods. Stay safe everyone.

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foreverthebeat added 20:09 - Oct 21 Dyersdream totally agree sky and league don't give a shy?te
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bobble added 21:08 - Oct 21 floods !! we have the exact opposite , no proper rain for months and the trees are all dying on hills and the grass is brown and crispy and the australian bushfire season is here....would love a flood or two
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