RUFC - Ref on today's decision to postpone

Rotherham United have had their game with Macclesfield Town, which was due to take place at Don Valley, postponed today.

As our article earlier said, the game was called off due to a frozen pitch.

Referee Geoff Eltringham told MillersPlayer that, although seventy-five per cent of the pitch was playable there was one area that was a major concern which was the shaded area in front of the main stand. 'I`ve inspected the pitch twice,` Mr Eltringham said, 'and there was no give in it at all. We gave it as much opportunity as we could for it to thaw out but the decision had to be made at one o`clock.

'It is completely frozen and it wouldn`t take a key or a stud and we had to come to the decision that there was no chance of the match being played. The temperature wasn`t going to rise and there was no way there was anything we could do in the time before kick-off.

'As officials, we`ve travelled here and we want the game on but player and official safety is paramount and there are a couple of ruts on the pitch that are frozen and could do serious damage to a player.`

Mr Eltringham was sympathetic to the Millers saying, 'Rotherham are on a great run and I`m sure they wanted to play and to be fair to Macclesfield they were likewise and wanted to play and I take what both teams want into my decision. But, in the end, both Managers were happy for it to be called off on the advice of safety.

'I know the fans will be frustrated. It`s unfortunate and we do feel sympathy for them but I hope they understand.`

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