Athletic's game against Tranmere Rovers is off. Football League referee Carl Evans has inspected the pitch which is under six inches of snow and although the field is soft enough to play on, the surrounding areas of Boundary Park are treacherous and the local authorities have declared it unfit. Other areas of the ground are still frozen and many of the amenities would not be available and consequently the game will be postponed until the New Year.
Officials at Hartlepool United, the Latics opponents on Monday, are confident at the moment that the game will go ahead as the weather forecast combined with the extra 48 hours available gives tham time to prepare the Victoria Ground pitch.