Carlisle Frozen Out At Crewe

Carlisle officials, players and spectators alike were left hot under the collar this afternoon despite the cold temperatures when the scheduled League One match at Crewe was called off due to a frozen pitch by referee Phil Melin at around 1.50pm. The playing surface having seemingly not been fit for a game all morning according to comments coming from the United coaching staff.

Blues boss John Ward himself saying to BBC Radio Cumbria :

" We were aware of it at 10 o'clock this morning so the timing of the call-off is the major disappointment. The decision is correct because it is a dangerous pitch. I wouldn't even train on the pitch on the side where the shade is, I wouldn't want to train my players on a session so there is no way that we could play a proper League One game.

" I'm just so disappointed for the supporters and everybody that has found out so late. I don't want to lay blame at anybody's door but the referee's decision is final and he is the guy that has got to make that decision and he's made it very late. The main thing is the supporters, they spend a lot of money and they are going to go home exceptionally disappointed with that. It's a great shame and it could have been avoided I think. "

In an effort to recompense some of the travelling Blue Army the Carlisle board of directors have said that there will be free coach travel to the rearranged fixture at the Alexandra Stadium. United managing director John Nixon will also be calling the Football Association on Monday morning in the hope to force into an enquiry into today's ridiculous events.