RUFC - Club to speak to FL today re Cherries game

Rotherham United's Chief Operating Officer, Paul Douglas says that the club are going to speak to the Football League today about a referee inspecting the pitch at Don Valley before Bournemouth set-off tomorrow morning.

Speaking to Dom Howson of The Star, Mr Douglas said, 'That is the worst case scenario and we will be doing everything we can to get the game on. But at the same time, the safety of the players and the public are our primary concern.'

Richard Exley, Operations Manager at Don Valley, said, 'With the pitch being covered in snow, there isn't a lot we can do at the moment. We have been working with the Rotherham United ground staff and we are putting a plan in action for this week. But, it's not only the pitch that is a problem. There is also the car park and the public walk-ways that you have to take into account.'

The club have been left counting the cost after the recent spate of postponements and had sold out the hospitality boxes for the Dagenham and Redbridge and Darlington games at Don Valley and had also sold all the tickets allocated for the game at Saltergate against Chesterfield.

Mr Douglas said, 'It was disappointing to miss out on the revenue for the two games at Don Valley. We were especially hoping for a bumper gate on Boxing Day.

'Revenue from gates is a fundamental part of our revenue stream but with all the snow and with no undersoil heating it is extremely difficult to get the pitch ready.'

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