Jeff Stelling makes a cheeky dig at Halifax once again

Jeff Stelling makes a cheeky dig at FC Halifax Town once again and this came before their latest postponement in the National League.

A heavy covering of snow fell across the north of England on Monday night, leaving many grounds unable to play out their midweek fixtures.

The Shayman was set to face Hartlepool United, however it ended up being postponed for the third time in as many weeks, causing a huge amount of talk on social media.

After being asked by one supporter whether he was ok with there being a 1pm pitch inspection planned at The Shay on Tuesday, Jeff gave a response.

@DaveMcdonald69 wrote: “You Ok with that @JeffStelling 👍”

With @JeffStelling replying with: “Even if it is like Bermuda between now and then, still have the pitch inspection!!! Everything crossed.”

All that crossing and hoping counted for nothing with the game being postponed at just after 10am on Tuesday, not even getting as far as the 1pm inspection.

⚽️ ⚠️ GAME OFF |

Our game tonight against @Official_HUFC has been called off due to heavy snow and freezing temperatures.#fcht

(MB) pic.twitter.com/6CRQTlNLMs

— FC Halifax Town (@FCHTOnline) February 2, 2021

Prior to the latest postponement of this fixture, Pools boss Dave Challinor thought it could be ‘third time unlucky’ for Hartlepool United, though did add he wasn’t overly confident the game would go ahead.

He said: “Some would say third time lucky but I’m thinking third time unlucky!

It comes three weeks after the game was called off for the second time, however this was a much later decision, an hour before kick off.

Jeff Stelling made a cheeky dig at Halifax over on his social media account after the announced was made.

The two sides were set to face each other on Tuesday the 12th of January, with a kick off time of 7pm, however after calls that the game looked set to go ahead without any issues, then flagged up the postponement.

10 hours before kick off, Halifax said “there home match tonight with Hartlepool United in the Vanarama National League is ON.

“There is now no need for a pitch inspection ahead of tonight’s game.”

Then as it approached 6pm, they wrote: “Following a sudden drop in temperature a part of the pitch In front of the South Stand is frozen.

“A second pitch inspection has been taken by the match referee and he has called for the game to be OFF.”

This then caused Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling to have his say, venting out his frustration at it all before replying to some fans then deleting his tweet.

He wrote: “Seriously there needs to be an investigation into events at Halifax Town. Planned pitch inspection for tonight’s re arranged game deemed unnecessary earlier today. Then at 545 with our players already arrived , the game is called off. Time, effort and money wasted. Disgraceful!”

Hartlepool fans chose to hit out at Halifax after the National League tie between the clubs on the 2nd of January was postponed due to a frozen pitch following a 9am inspection.

The criticism continued the following weekend as Pools’ match against Wealdstone at Victoria Park went ahead as planned despite also being subject to an inspection following sub-zero temperatures in the area.

Several allegations were made on social media that The Shaymen didn’t want the match to be played on the 2nd of January – that however was dismissed by Pete Wild ahead of the third meeting between the sides in just over three weeks.

“It’s another chance to put the wrongs right from Boxing Day,” the Halifax manager told The Courier.

“Despite what [the Hartlepool fans] thought, we didn’t try and get the game called off, but some of the words that have been said makes it a little bit more spicy than I thought it was going to be.”

The surface at the Shay pic.twitter.com/beAbmklBmq

— Tom Scargill (@HxCourierTom) January 12, 2021

Halifax added on Tuesday night: “If you have purchased the stream for tonight’s game. Please contact MediaTeam@fchalifaxtown.com to arrange your refund.”

Halifax are 8th in the National League table, with opponents Hartlepool sitting 2nd, ten points behind leaders Torquay United.

 

FAN REACTION:

 

You’re right mate, only took them a full day, 30 full time staff members and expensive expert equipment 👍

— Sean Nolan (@seannolan26) February 2, 2021

@StephenRushton2: That looks playable to me. Get the orange ball out!! 😅😅

@MatthewScoffer: @JeffStelling you going to start crying about it again?

@donnaburnell: Lot of qualified groundsmen and weather experts here

@JakeFCHT_: @JeffStelling maybe one day

@k7vin11: Looks good though, that’s your Christmas Card 2021 photo sorted. #notallhartlepoolfansarebellends

@MrX06944329: Glad you used pictures to illustrate the situation to the inevitability incensed Hartlepool fans.

@Nwrighty18: Absolutely brilliant #HUFC fans now suggesting we should of cleared the snow the day before like Notts County, anyone able to help them out with that theory 😂😂

@bslewis1973: It won’t be long before Jeff Stelling is moaning

@Joe_Evans9: Cover the pitch you simple bastards

@hallydesigns: At least we found out early this time.

@JackAshmann: At least it breaks our busy month up a bit, nice break for the players

@PaMitch78: Three times, wonder what the record is!

@hpoolneil: Hahahaha….the saga continues…

@ShinPadNP: Some of the responses to this post are hilarious. It’s not Halifax’s fault that there is loads of fucking snow.