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Aldershot and Gateshead in argument with game called off 20 minutes before kick off

Aldershot Town and Gateshead players, staff and officials got in an argument with the game called off 20 minutes before kick off.

Tuesday night’s National League fixture was called off after a second inspection, despite a concerted effort from staff, volunteers, supporters and groundsmen throughout the day, the referee deemed the waterlogged pitch unsafe.

But according to one fan, a Gateshead official had accused Aldershot players of ‘not wanting to play’. Which the Shots players then denied.

GATESHEAD STATEMENT:

Following tonight’s unfortunate postponement of our fixture with Aldershot Town FC, Gateshead FC wishes to make the following statement.

Due to the expected forecast of overnight rain, the club were in communication with Aldershot Town and the match referee. A decision was made for a 9:30am pitch inspection to allow plenty of time for Aldershot to be aware of the state of the pitch prior to their scheduled 11:00 am departure.

The pitch was duly passed fit by a suitably qualified referee, in conjunction with the match referee and the National League, and a report of the pitch was sent to all parties.

Given that rain was forecast between 12pm and 3pm, the stadium staff agreed to work on the pitch throughout to give the match the best possible chance of being played.

At 2pm, when the rainfall was heavier than anticipated, and mindful of the fact that Aldershot had already departed via rail and were staying in the area overnight, a monumental joint effort by the council, the football club and volunteers to remove the standing water from the pitch was undertaken.

The referee was informed at 2:30 pm of the maintenance plan, and he kept Aldershot fully informed at all times.

Due to the concerted effort over several hours, we believed the pitch to be in a similar state to how it was at 9:30 am, and therefore very optimistic of the match going ahead. We were encouraged by the positive impact of the maintenance plan and how the works were progressing.

The referee then agreed a delay with the National League to ensure that the match had the best chance of being played, and this was permitted of up to one hour.

Gateshead FC desperately wanted the match to go ahead, but following discussions with Aldershot Town FC, they made it clear that they did not think the pitch was playable and that they did not wish the match to be further delayed by an extension of time.

In fact, Aldershot’s players and management asked that the matter just be called from the time they arrived at the stadium at 5:30pm, without having stepped foot on the pitch.

The referee worked with both teams to ensure they were aware, with all parties being out on the pitch.
For the sake of clarity, the referee said that he would further allow the work to continue following his initial inspection and would reconvene at 6:45pm.

Following the inspection, an agreed remedial package was agreed, only for it to be revoked, and ultimately the decision was made that the match would be postponed.

It is unfortunate that the match did not go ahead and impacted both sets of supporters, many of whom had travelled.

Gateshead FC are extremely disappointed and underwhelmed that given they had travelled and were staying overnight, the opposition did not wish to give time to see if the match could be played with a delayed start.

We would like to place on record our thanks to our staff, supporters, volunteers and Gateshead Council for the huge effort today, and we are immensely grateful to all.

ON TWITTER:

Gateshead said just after 6pm: “Following a preliminary pitch inspection, the match officials have decided to stage a further inspection at 6:45pm.

“Options are being explored to give the fixture every chance of being played, including the possibility of delaying kick off.

“A number of groundsmen, volunteers, supporters & club staff are working tirelessly to give tonight’s game every chance of being played.

“A further update will be communicated following the upcoming inspection at 6:45pm.”

At 6:15pm, Aldershot tweeted: “Gateshead have communicated to say that following a preliminary pitch inspection, match officials have decided to stage a further inspection at 6:45pm.

“Options are being explored to give the fixture every chance of being played, including the possibility of delaying kick-off.

“We will communicate all updates as quickly as possible.

“Thank you to Gateshead’s club staff, volunteers, grounds staff and supporters who have worked hard throughout the day to help the pitch’s condition.”

At 7:15pm, Gateshead said: “The match officials are currently in communication with the National League, with an official decision regarding tonight’s fixture to be made in 15 minutes.”

Aldershot said: “Match officials are still conducting the inspection and the latest we have been told is a decision will be made in 10 minutes.”

“Then on 7:25pm, Aldershot confirmed: “Tonight’s match against Gateshead has been postponed because of an unplayable pitch.

“Whilst we massively appreciate the hard work from the volunteers and ground staff of Gateshead in trying to improve the condition of the pitch, we are incredibly disappointed with the apparent lack of consideration to our supporters, players and staff surrounding the decision making of events today.

“Having been told of an 18:45 pitch inspection an hour and a half before kick-off, when our supporters long journey to Gateshead had already concluded, we were left awaiting a decision for almost 45 minutes.

“A further update on when the fixture will be rearranged will be communicated in due course.

“A massive thank you to all of the supporters who did make the trip up to Gateshead. We hope you have a quick and safe journey home; your commitment and dedication to your support of our club is truly outstanding 👏”

Gateshead said: “Despite the best efforts of staff, volunteers, supporters and groundsmen throughout the day, the referee has deemed the pitch unsafe for play and tonight’s match has been postponed.

“We appreciate the efforts of all who gave their time to try and get tonight’s game on, with Gateshead players and staff willing to play tonight’s game as planned.

“Supporters who have purchased tickets online will have refunds processed automatically.”

Aldershot fans quickly headed to a nearby game to still watch some sort of football, welcomed in at Boldon CA FC who are at home to Newcastle University in the Northern League Division Two fixture (10th tier of English football).

Boldon said: “Many thanks to the @OfficialShots fans who came to support us this evening. Your support is greatly appreciated.

“We hope you enjoy the rest of the game and have a safe journey back south 🤝 #BoldonCA #AldershotFC”

Twitter users gave their reacted while Aldershot and Gateshead got in an argument with the game called off 20 minutes before kick off…

@DCM050504: Was watching the pitch inspections and both sets of fans saw that the pitch was playable game never should have been called off

@RyanBro11591296: Terrible from @OfficialShots trying to blame a club that done everything to get a game on only to not give it a chance. You have massively let down your fans and I hope you reimburse them appropriately and take accountability for the decision and not blame a different club

@durhamchris1983: Sounds like Aldershot bottled it but Gateshead should have communicated better during the day on social media.

@Owen02955465: Well we should gain the points. Sounds like a match forfeit to me

@Dukey_3006: All just too scared to play you see! A bit of bad form, and they all shit the bed. That’s why we’re clear of them, bad form almost all season yet we could stay up Saturday, stronger mentality 😌

@HiccupEU: Yes because we really want to travel all the way up which is gonna cost a lot of time and money and then go to Dagenham a day or so later for an early kick off, behave you absolute weapon 😭

@Dan_Tweeter10: Embarrassing from @GatesheadFC

@Tristan_ATFC: What a gimp that bloke is

@pandaismint: aldershot fear little old gateshead, absolutely tragic

@LRbix: Seems like Aldershot didn’t want to play us when we are in red hot form and they are off form 😂

@CleaveO: This postponement just got a bit more tasty. 👀💥

@JOEWILLS13: Tinpot and disgusting club for failing to get the game on and for having poor drainage which has made me feel bad, grumpy and wild, needs new drainage installed this summer to prevent further postponements like this from next season onwards, which makes the club a joke.

@RBlack95: Say it how it really was. Referee was prepared to give it time, we wanted it on but Aldershots management didn’t want to move kick off time or play it. Tactical as they know we can’t fit it in this week!

@Banno1289: You should be embarrassed.

@CMWJ1905: Some right divvy replies to this. Fans are fuming that they’re traveled 6 hours there, and then 6 hours back without seeing the game. They also need to travel another 12 hours back there next Thursday with minimal notice. Call it off this morning when it was torrential ffs.

@pandaismint: Completely understand why the club tried as hard as possible to get it going and I’ve a lot respect for the volunteers working exceptionally hard to do so. With that said, the lack of communication today for the away fans especially, has been appalling.

@theshrew88: That is a disgrace I hope the Aldershot fans who made the trip up there for NOTHING get some sort of compensation because that’s not on at all

@coaster908765: Shocking communication, even worse than ours, got to be a record at this level 15 minutes before kick off.

@Tony09817073: I watched volunteers, Management, Board of Directors work tirelessly on the pitch and at 19.15 no standing water, No sand on it anywhere offered if required and one two spots on pitch ball didn’t bounce well. Ball rolling well Gateshead gutted need to look at others possibly.

@Barwineewindas: Not a good look. Understand why there was desperation to get it played but it has absolutely tipped down for most of the night and day and it was obvious that the game wouldn’t be played by about 10am this morning. Travelling @OfficialShots deserved better, & comms have been wank

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