Since Fulham’s game against Portsmouth was postponed on Friday there’s been a lot of discussion on the various messageboards about how the generally softer modern times, heavily influenced by the compensation culture and health and safety factors, mean we just don’t play football in inclement conditions anymore. The theory goes that in the ‘good old days’ they play in blizzards.
It’s a nice idea, but it doesn’t really stack up. A serious cold snap hit Britain in 1963 and caused huge problems for our football programme, as the Observer reported yesterday. Whilst I feel the postponement could work in favour, allowing us time to bring back Bobby Zamora and Brede Hangeland from injury and Dickson Etuhu from international duty in time for a rearranged game, the lack of available dates means we could well be facing a fixture pile-up later in the season (especially if the snow continues to fall).
here here. I am so tired of people bemoaning the snow and claiming that in the ‘good ol days’ or ‘during the war’ we just got on with it. Rose tinted glasses methinks.
Portsmouth though were missing six players from the ACN alone. They’re struggling, but are showing signs of improvement under Grant. This would have been an excellent time to have played them.
That said, I agree with the sentiment. Whilst the main roads and the Fulham Palace Road have been ok, the side roads along the Thames have been incredibly icy as of late, as has Bishop’s Park. If you consider how many “older” people go to games, as well as how many people like to have a few pre-match drinks, there was a very real danger that people could get badly hurt falling on the ice. Plus, we all know of the grit/salt problems around the country. It could (not necessarily “would”) have been a nightmare.
In addition, the club wouldn’t have filled the ground. Even the usually full Emirates was surprisingly empty for the Everton game on Saturday. Better perhaps to wait until conditions are safer for both fans and players, and get a packed house in to support the teams.
Whilst I was annoyed at the time that it was postponed, I do however think that the right decision has been made.