St Johnstone v Hibs: POSTPONED

29 December 2009 79 views No Comment

The Hibees match at St Johnstone has been postponed because of safety concerns, as an icy blast of weather is set to hit Scotland.

The McDiarmid Park pitch and car park is under eight inches of snow, and while the pitch could have been tackled, the car park is a different proposition altogether. With no end to the freezing temperatures in sight the decision has been made to postpone the fixture.

There is no date for the rearranged fixture.

Tomorrow evening’s home match against Hibernian is OFF.

The McDiarmid Park pitch and car park are under eight inches of snow, and while the pitch could have been tackled, the car park is a different proposition altogether. With no end to the freezing temperatures in sight the decision has been made to postpone the fixture.

Tayside Police Inspector Ian Scott viewed the car park just before lunchtime today and had no hesitation in declaring it unsafe.

Inspector Scott said “There are six to eight inches of snow and ice on the car park and with no indication that the temperatures are going to rise, it is a significant health & safety issue. These are the worst winter conditions we have seen in Perth for at least a decade. Supporter safety is paramount and with no alternative parking available, this postponement is the only sensible option.

St Johnstone Managing Director Stewart Duff said “We are confident that the pitch and stadium would have been okay but unfortunately the sheer volume of snow which has fallen in the car park is an insurmountable problem.

“Our normal contractors who attend to the car park in these conditions are understandably concentrating on the roads network and even if they had been able to attend, there is the question of where they were going to put any snow lifted. At best we might have been looking at only half the car park being available.

“It’s very disappointing but spectator safety comes first and hopefully this early decision on the game will be helpful to supporters.”

There is no date for the rearranged fixture.

The Saints Community Coaching tomorrow and Thursday has also been postponed.

PHOTO: St Johnstone Managing Director Stewart Duff, Constable Gair Forbes and Inspector Ian Scott inspect the car park at lunchtime