All Bluebirds Column #4: Pitches Get Hitches

“There is no buzz like it on a matchday. The excitement, the nerves, the noise, the feeling, there is literally nothing like it.” Nobody can argue with those heartfelt words. The sun shone clear in bracing cold as I strode full of hope towards Holker Street on Saturday.

I’ve got a few ‘jobs’ to do at the ground at home games so am lucky enough to experience that early quiet, as the stadium eases slowly to life. Matchday staff arrive- a quick chat with old friends and that frisson of excitement. The beauty of football, at the same time comfortably familiar and always different at the same time. Salford at home offered another chapter in what is proving to be an exciting story this season.

The pitch looked pristine, with the anticipated heaters on the parts of the ground getting less sun. Gareth and company beavering hither and thither- people who tend that pitch and are rightly praised for the present condition. On odd occasions, their hallowed turf has been bailed, hoovered, sponged, covered and cosseted.  They are the experts.

Quizzical expressions abounded. Mr Barrott had pitched up. We had till 1pm! Leaving aside the illogicality of this, as the ground would become increasingly playable, he also allegedly turned down an opportunity to come earlier, having stopped off in Lancaster from his Yorkshire home.

Still confident, I watched the staff turn their hands to the odd hard patches. Online, even those amateur horticulturalists standing in their back garden on Twitter insisted that it would ‘take a stud’. The club had not issued any warning and had been very confident. Too confident it transpired. Unwise perhaps, understandable absolutely.

To the incredulity of the coaching staff, club staff, the ground staff, the volunteers and all observers, the ref was not for turning. Usually, although the decision is the referee’s there is some dialogue and consultation. We played Swindon on a decent pitch when it was worse at 1pm this season.

Contrast the Covid season, the visiting referee gave every moment he could as Exeter had arrived. Then explained his decision on club media. Exeter were with us and though disappointed, were very understanding and generous. Team effort.

Mr Barrott cruised off home on an early dart, fees nestling in his hip pocket, leaving a large catering, wages and hospitality bill in his wake- not to mention supporter travel. Of course, at 1.30, the patches were nearly gone.

The club took to social media. As, later, would Gary Neville. I wandered away- staring into the abyss of a Saturday without football, commiserating with the Salford fans who already had arrived. Everyone deserved better and though I doubt the EFL will be receptive, we have rightly complained to PGMOL.

We must respect and trust our officials with player safety of course. Surely though, they have to employ common sense and work with those who know the pitch best? Because, as Mr Samuel Barrott once told West Riding Football Association’s website, “There is no buzz like it on a matchday. The excitement, the nerves, the noise, the feeling, there is literally nothing like it.” Only he knows why there was nothing like that on Saturday.