Thetownend.com

UPDATE:  If any one is available tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm to assist with gritting the stadium/Car Park then meet at the club shop otherwise from 8am onwards on Saturday


We need this game on Saturday so we're looking for any volunteers who are prepared to bring themselves down the club early on Saturday morning to help clear the snow and covers.

If you own a shovel, spade or stiff broom please bring those with you as well but the main task will be removing the covers.

We'll need you there for 9am and you be finished by the time the pubs open :D

In return STFC will provide hot drinks and bacon butties (or veggie butties for the weirdo's on here) - you might even get a chance to chat with Nick Watkins as he helped put the covers on - of course you'll also get to meet me and grubby but I don't want to put you off your bacon butty before you even get there.

I know Mex is coming down Friday so I've got his name down already - it'll give him something to brag about during his VIP lunch ;)

Please PM me if you want this game to go ahead and are able to help.

Cheers

Volunteers to date:


Samdy Gray
Luci
LucienSanchez
Panda Paws
Don Rogers Shop
Janaage (who will be gritting all the roads from Southen to Swindon to make sure they get here safely)
Leggett

At 9am right?

yes - to be confirmed

If I say yes will I still get to the pub for 11am?

Ill try to - what kind of time would it be?

If we start at 9 we'll have plenty of time for beer - there's no way I'm missing out on that

Beer<football :D

I will probably be available if needed...

Count me in then, presuming the roads have cleared and the buses are running on Saturday morning.

If I lived a bit closer I would. As I'm now a single parent (I've got a dog) I can't leave here until 10.00.

Thanks,

Assume you'll be needed - I'll post on here of anything changes

Thanks Herthab, I know the dog commitment thing - the missus will be looking after ours

So what are the chances of the game going ahead providing enough people help?

Very good,  The ground isn't frozen and the layer of snow will insulate against that on Friday night.  They're gritting all the stands and car parks on friday night as well so providing we can get the covers off we should be good to go

PM sent  - I'm defo available to assist, just let me know when exactly to be there

I don't think it should go ahead.  If the snow's as bad as forecast tomorrow the roads will be dangerous on Saturday.  Not fair on away support or out of town Swindon fans.  it should be postponed, and I think it will be.

Enjoy the fun of clearing the pitch though, should be a good laugh.

Surely if we can get it played it should be played. It's a massive game for us, and for those who feel it's unsafe to travel, thats up to them.

Sorry, can't help, have the children to look after :(

I'm sure Southend won't complain about a match being called off as long as you give them at least 15 minutes notice before kick off ;)

Tomorrows (Friday) volunteers are required for gritting the stadium/car park from 1pm

All I'm saying is there's more important things than a "massive" game.  Supporters safety for a start, whether that be in the ground, outside the ground or making their way to the ground, that all needs to be considered.  If the journey from Southend is not safe enough, or from the other towns of Wiltshire deemed dangerous then the club should call it off and rearrange for another day.

But the club can only ensure they have made the area immediately surrounding the ground as safe as possible, and if that passes the H&S tests then the game should go ahead. The club should not be penalised if the M25 and M4 are up the swanny and 100 Southend fans can't get here.

With the games piling up, the club can only do so much to get it played, and if the pitch is fine and the ground and it's approach roads are safe then the game should be played, irrelevant of the state of the M25 or any other road not directly linked to the ground.

 :ty: You saved me a lot of typing...

Janaage... I've put you down as volunteer to make sure that the rest of the roads from Sarfend to Swindon are gritted so there fans get here safely ;)

I think you're missing the point.  I'm not necessarily talking from a Swindon Town FC point of view.  Personally I think it's a little silly making thousands of fans travel the length of the country just for leisure purposes.  Looking at the forecast it's looking dodgy to say the least

Fair play to the club for giving it a go, but I wouldn't bother driving anywhere mid to long distant this weekend, and the more people that think the same the better, for the emergency services sake at the very least.  You're asking for trouble.

no one is asking the Southend fans to make the trip though are they. Just the players.
The club will obviously lose money on ticket and matchday revenue but then again we wont have a fixture pileup later on in the season.

Spot on.

I'm not just talking about Southend fellas.  i;m talking about most of the away support who have to travel a fair distance this weekend.

Never mind, go clear the pitch, have fun, get three points and enjoy.

I thought you Sweaties were used to this snow stuff...reading the forum, it's obvious that different parts of teh country are getting different amounts of snow...eg in neighbouring Somerset, they're is none...Bristol seems to have got off lightly last night.

All that can be done is get ready and wait and see...same for every club in the country.

No, there isnt


If I get out of bed early enough and can be arsed do I just turn up?

Of course...

Over the course of the season there will always be games that fans can't get to due to bad weather/traffic accidents/road works etc. its just one of those things unfortunately - Hereford on that flooded night remember?.  Fixtures piling up doesn't help either club and its a personal decision as to whether the fans decide to travel or not. 

I'm kind of with Janaaage on this. If SBC have run out of grit (Sippo on another thread) that'll make it worse. It's a bit rich closing schools and businesses at the drop of a hat(or a flake) then ignoring all the reasons for so doing when a footie match is involved.

That's not to decry all efforts to make the pitch and stadium safe and playable, and it's good to see many people volunteering to help.
 

fuck it, i'm in for saturday morning. i'm still working today, will be tommoro so cant help you there, but saturdays cool. i'll breing my trusty broom that helped me dig my car out this morning :P


samdy, do you still live in west swindon? want a lift in?

If the game was kicking off at 8:30 this morning then it would have been off, in the same way as schools and businesses but there is over 48 hours to go. 

As Sam Shore says...any thing can happen in the next half hour.

fuck it im still coming tomorrow afternoon, im doing vip on saturday so will be down at 9am but will leave at 11 to nip home and get my suit on.

Good man mex!  I knew I could rely on you!

i've gritted outside my home and it's made no difference at all.although the pitch maybe ok,the car park etc without traffic to break up the snow might mean the game gets called off.if it snows again i reckon it will be off for sure

Im really sorry Im having my eyelashes permed Sat morning

they really need doing as well so I cant cancell

sorry

:)  I never know if you are being serious or not JFW.

its a bit of snow, why does the whole counry come to a standstill for a bit of snow. its laughable

umm sorry Batch I am being serious

I mean you should see my eyelashes

I can help Sat morning.

I've got a real urge to slag everyone off for being quite so sad but I suppose you're making an effort so I won't.

That would be spiffing.

Because our roads are covered in ice and makes it very difficult to get around?  It's not like the country has had years of practice on it now is it?  Esepcially the 35 and unders, and the older lot have forgotten anyway.  Oh yeah they can harp on about the flipping winter of 63 and 76 or whenever the flip it was it last chucked it down good and proper, but it doesn't really help matters eh? 

Also we've probably had snow down here for a total of what 5 to 8 days in the last 5 years?  Yeah let's just carry on like the snow and ice ain't there, that's a much better idea.

I agree Jan, the standstill argument doesn't stack up for me - this weather happens, what, once a year?

Why spend a fortune preparing for something like that. By that logic, you should keep the London marathon route closed off all year round.

I like that Dave!!

It's just the usual people moaning about it.  Some bird at work was moaning about other cars driving too slowly yesterday, but these people would be the first to moan if some knobjockey was going too fast and hit them.  Just take it easy, drive safe and hopefully everyone arrives at their destination in one piece. 

i aint seen snow like this since i was in the first year of secondary school.that was 1986-87

i hate this global warming

I was in education from 1988-2007 and again now 2008-2010 living in various places.... I never had a "snow day". Not that it bothers me or anything.

I remember the schools being closed once or twice during my youth, in '87 particularly.

janaage, I agree with everything you've said on this thread. I've not mssed a home game this season, but bollocks if I'm going to make a journey through snow, ice.
Tonight in Berkshire we are expecting anything upto 10 inches of snow, there is no-way that will disappear by Saturday.

I had my first snow day ever today

Are you sure its not 10cm?

Fuck me im going to busy again later

I'm glad there are a couple of people who get my drift on this one (pun slightly intended).

10cm metres is 4 inches I think.
Well we had that this morning, tomorrow is going to be a lot worse.

6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches all the same when laid down on the earth!!!!

The number of times I've said that.......

so whats the situation? someone who has my number give me a call as im getting the 13.07 train today from Brighton and if its off could someone tell me pleasssseeee.

Mex,

It snowed overnight, 2-3 inches again. It's still snowing now and the roads are pretty shitty in Swindon at the mo. I don't know whether the 'rush hour' traffic will clear things at all. I'm not a weather man but I'd have to say it all looks doubtful to me.

I agree but.... they just appealed for helpers on GWR so who knows?!

BBC saying sleet or snow moving away over course of morning, then dry. Temps will be around the same as yesterday. Slow thaw it is then unless it rains.

Looking doubtful to me too.

Looking out at over the town this morning the game must be in severe doubt, especially if the predicted sharp frost arives tonight, if they do get it on everybody will deserve heartiest congratulations.

I can't see Marcus Cassidy even getting to the ground today. He's from Stonehouse area and that's not the best journey into swindon.

i think in my mind the game will be off tomorrow.

Just got back and queens drive, manny road and the magic round about is not so bad obviously a bit slushy.

According to RS because the snow will insulate the ground tonight, and won't let any of the earth warmth out into the air, the air temparature tonight will be around minus 10.  I honestly cannot see the match being on tomorrow.  I wouldn't come up fella if I were you, especially as the train's have been hit and miss over the last couple of days anyhow.

I think the game will be called off today.

Marcus is there...  They're looking to remove the top layer of snow today so that it should be a simple case of removing the covers tomorrow... The sharp frost could still be the killer though

 

Getting to the ground will be the killer!!!

I'm sure they can prepare the pitch in a fit state to play, but that's not the point, unless there is a considerable change in road conditions there is no way many will attempt to go, I for one will certainly not try.

And there will be plenty like you Dell, which is what the club needs to consider.  Incidentally I wouldn't be one of these people as I could walk from my house, but that's not the point.

Jeez why all the negativity. Wheres the can do attitude? Its as if some people want the game to be called off

Positivity/negativity has nothing to do with it Dave.

Buses not running, rail severely disrupted, roads dodgy to say the least.  The outlet village shut, shops in town centre closing.  Why?  Are the shops unable to open, of course they can, but it's irresponsible to encourage people to travel when they don't need to including travelling to watch a game of football.

And that's not even taking into account -7 to -10 degree temperatures overnight.

they should call it off now.the club will end up having to meet southends expenses if they leave it late. there is no way the game will be on due to the chaos out there.the council are relying on a grit delivery today from devon.they'll be lucky to get it.up to minus 10 tonight.surely common sense has to be used here?

Fuck common sense. I've only seen one game this year. IT MUST BE PLAYED

it wont be

I'm hoping it's on, although i'll have to walk from my house! No way im going to be able to get the car out, just seen 3 cars in a row get stuck in the road and give up in the end and roll down the hill! Might have to walk my sister to work in town tomorrow, so if i do i'll try and pop along and help out if still needed.

absolutely spot on. 

Southend are not arriving until tomorrow but I have conveyed your thoughts to the club and they are seeking advice from the emergency services.

There are now too many factors that need to be considered in my view not least of all the H&S point as well as the risk of playing the game at a huge loss - I don't think anyone could say they haven't tried their hardest to get it to go ahead.

I want the game to go ahead because janaage and arriba don't want it to.

Big respect for trying, but considering the number of out of town fans, it may be just as expensive to play the game as call it off.

Agree with that Triseros, great idea to get the fans involved in trying to get the game on, fair play to the board for that one. 

Funny. Well said.

It's not that I don't want it to go ahead, but I do think it'd be unwise to play it. 

the club car park wont be usable for a start.chucking grit down wont melt the snow without traffic working it into the ground.plus no public transport,fans and players travelling.it just aint gonna be on.i wanted it on as i was going to go, but it is ridiculous to expect it played now.

I was going to go down with my spade this afternoon, but it does look a bit futile. Had conditions stayed like yesterday afternoon then I think it would have been a goer...

Given the weather forecast there is no chance of it going ahead simply on the road conditions and surrounding areas of the ground - where is everyone going to park without risking the side roads?  Given about 20% of people are making into paid employment, I doubt very many will even try to make a football game unless they could walk.  Add in the obvious H&S concerns that will come from the Police anyway and the pitch could be sparkling green and soft and it won't make a jot of difference.

I want it on. I live in Reading and conditions may well not be as bad here as in Swindon but we've had loads of snow etc this week and i've managed to get to work everyday. I am planning to make the trip down tomorrow and will be most disappointed if its off.

Blimey what are we all supposed to do stay indoors all week and for the foreseeable future. I'm gonna run out of food soon.

Games at Hereford and Bristol Rovers are already called off.

I cant even get out of Highworth let alone get to Swindon to watch the match and its still snowing!

i can't go skiing currently as it's too stormy for a rubbish noob like me!

thought i'd add this, and also my smugness that it would appear i'm not missing any close or home games

Agreed..
Anyone know if they have scheduled a pitch inspection?

5 games off already in L1........

They are currently clearing the snow of the sheets on the pitch etc, My son's have gone up there with shovels and spades, so sounds like there still trying to get this game on.

ive sacked off coming today, fuck it. Me and Adje would have to leave at 8.30 tomorrow morning so hopefully they will have made there minds up by then.

sorry tricelopolus wont be bringing my spade in at 9am after all.

Clear the snow...spread the grit...job done...

I reckon they should grit the pitch.....lets get it on!

both kids and missus off for two days....ive had a enough!!

get the orange ball out, and play sun rain snow fog. what happened to the old days? (says the 24 year old) but you know what i mean.

I will be down at 9am. Better not be off

what the flying fuck are you talking about sebaldo?

I think what he's saying, screw the 'elf and safety malarky, clear the pitch and get on with the game, even you have to play with an old style orange ball if you cannot clear the pitch with all the snow, like in the old days.

oooooooooh right, i thought an orange ball and sun rain snow fog was some kind of old game. hmmmm.

You didn't try very fucking hard then!

Well done ronnie he will turn up now

ANYONE AROUND THIS EVENING?  THEY'RE STILL GOING - WE'RE HALF WAY THERE, JUST NEED A FINAL PUSH BEFORE TOMORROW MORNING....

What time?

Got a rubbish wheel barrow and rubbish spade but I can help.

Hate to be a pessimist but minus 5 tonight is the icing on the cake...if it was too dangerous for fans traveling to Cobblers it dosnt look good for police and club being happy with transport arrangements tomorow...if its still on in the morning would be happy to help out.

I'll head over now anyway. Think it's a bit futile, but I'll help just in case.

fair play to the lads there at the minute, they've shifted a fair bit of snow!

I require pictures of the ground etc etc...

Any posters??

Brilliant effort,but i fear its in vain.The buses haven't run at all today so can't see them doing so tomorrow if the forecast turns out to be right.Hardly anyone will make it in  :(

Might as well have just resigned themselves to it today.

Still nice to see a bit of the olde Blitz spirit alive and well in Wiltshire.

As soon as, there are people there at the moment but we need more hands on deck!

I think it will be on. The council have 100 tonnes of gritt and are doing the carpark later

I hope we get it on and buck the namby pamby brigade.....my misss said "Oh, your not going tomorrow are you?".

Me: "If its on, im going, end of!".

Thats the attitude!

Come on people!!!!!!!

Yup I'm with you on that one - I need the footy tomorrow!

On the flip side if its on and people cant make it, Soccer Saturday should give some decent coverage as most other games will prob be off!

In times like this i find prayer helps.

may pop down tomorrow.

Not going to make this now folks. Just spent two hours clearing up the compacted ice my fuck-tard neighbours left on our shared driveway and completely fucked my back up. I don't think I can take shovelling any more snow.

Sorry.

Conditions have improved dramatically in Berkshire in the last three or four hours.
My worry is where do I park if I come to the ground, will there be anywhere apart from Tescos and off street parking?
I'm pretty sure the Cricket Ground will not be able to accommodate many vehicles tomorrow.

I really didn't want to miss a home game this season, the last time I went the whole season was in the early seventies.

Tesco was shut today because of the state of their car park.

Could you train it dell?

I'll be really fucked off if the game goes ahead and I can't get there.

Could do, will do if the game is on, down side, if I come by train I will drink, I know I will, that should be a no no for me at the moment.
Will power of knat!

Which one, I was in Ocotal Way at lunch time, open then.

I was told Ocotal Way one was shut by the wife. I'll go put her in her place now.

Just got back from CC, It takes longer than you imagine to clear a small area of the pitch, so I urge as many as possible to get down tommorow from 8am to help clear the rest.

Your wife shut Ocotal way?

Rather selfish of her.

When was that Sam? I went around 2ish to get some shopping for the mother-in-law who's stuck in her house by the snow and it was open then. Although the car park was still a bloody mess, not helped by the doofuses who thought it would be a good idea to walk right across the slippiest bits where cars were trying to drive - "Yeah, walk in front of me, mate, I'm basically skating here and if you think I can brake, you're in for a shock"

It does indeed, but it's over half done, will need 50-100 from 8am onwards tomorrow to get it done by 2pm.

Ref says if it's ready at 2pm the game is on.

Bring shovels and particularly wheelbarrows if you are local.

I'll be there in the morning with a small shovel and a big bucket.

Story of my life really.

It probably won't touch the sides.

i walked past at lunchtime when they first started clearing the car park, the blocks of snow were 3 foot tall. Personally can't see it happening tomorrow.

Adje is picking me up at half nine, so if does get called off in morning please please some fucker call me.

Car park is clear. had the diggers in there all day.

Me and my dad will be there at about 9am, can bring shovels hopefully (walking past B&Q on the way to buy some!) but we're walking from West Swindon so can't bring a wheelbarrow! Hopefully we can get the match on!

I'll be trying (roads permitting).

pictures on the official site look ace, good work people.

She might just be getting mixed up with the Asda Walmart on Thamesdown Drive, now I heard that was shut!  Debenhams and Peacocks in town were also shut all day!

There's actually more done than that last photo. I really think this game could go ahead.

I'm in all day, so will do.

Excellent effort by those folk who helped today. More needed tomorrow though!

Asda was open. I went down to get some bits and bobs at 11 this morning.

Fair enough, I was working in the town centre today and we were discussing how many shops were not open and it was suggested that ASda Walmart was closed!

Thanks to everyone who turned up today - we're up for one last push tomorrow morning... In particular we need wheel barrows and shovels - if you can get one in the back your car then it would be great to see you

Do you really think we can get this game on triseros? I'm walking from West Swindon to help out, but won't icy roads mean it'll ultimatly be called off or am i just being negative?!

From what I've read, the ref's said as long as the pitch is clear by 2pm then the game will be on.

Surely all the snow and the side of the pitch would be hazard??

Had diggers and skips taking it away. Must have shifted 30 tonnes of the stuff.

what if the Southend coach cant even get to the ground?

Fair play. This would never have been done by previous board.

We win by default.

got a shovel and some wellies sorted, score! no wheelbarrow tho, sorry!


this might be a silly question, but as i'll be driving where's good to park at that time?

Merlin or at the back of the arkells.

Got a spare shovel for me?

Got a broom you can use :P lift?

Joke!! took 30 mins freezing my nuts off getting the car ready to leave only to find I couldn't get out of the drive. Bollocks I'm moving back into Swindon and out of the sticks!!

Is the ref going to leave it that late in the day, if I do attempt to make the journey will need to know before then.

Journey normally just under 1 hour in good conditions, would want to give myself 2 hours to ensure I arrive on time and park, if I come by train I need to catch the 1.20 (two trains to catch).

Just spoke to Marcus Cassidy and he didn't sound very optimistic!! He says the overnight frost has got into the ground a bit where the snow has already been removed. I'll post when I hear more.

Games off, refs worried about the linesman. Fucker.

Ho hum, the guys who did everything they could to get the game on deserve a pat on the back. There was nothing else they could do.

Are there any bacon butties left?
 :eatkf:

Fucking gutted.

Bacon buttie time!