United media officer Andy Hall (AH) putting some more meat on the bones of the situation when he spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's John Mann (JM) this lunchtime :
JM
I was listening to you talking about the situation earlier this morning and you didn't sound very confident?
AH
I have to admit, this week we have been thinking that we would be battling against frost, so we have been prepared for that. We have double covered the susceptible areas of the pitch, we have covered the whole pitch in preparation for that. Then you wake up this morning and there is four inches of snow everywhere, so there you go, you think what can you do about that?
JM
It wasn't actually forecast because I read the weather forecast out last night
and there wasn't any at all, it was just ice and frost wasn't it?
AH
I think there was possibly a hint of a late flurry that was mentioned somewhere along the line. So, we didn't think that would be an issue at all and then you wake up and you think wow, here we go, let's see what we can do here.
JM
I heard that you mentioned that you have been trying to get things clear since about 7am?
AH
The Managing Director (John Nixon) was actually in at 7am, the groundstaff very shortly thereafter. Every member of the club has followed in after that from the youngest youth player all the way up to the owners and directors. It has been a monumental effort, it really has and I think everybody involved needs a pat on the back for getting this thing on.
JM
That is dedication for you, I even thought myself of chucking a bag of sand in the car before I left home this morning so that I could drop it off on the way down.
AH
Do you know what? We have had people doing that, and again, there are local people turning up with shovels and spades and helping us out. So, it just is a thank you to everybody, in particular the club's staff who have got themselves involved to make sure that we can play this FA Cup game.
JM
So, I take it that the problem really was with the walkways rather than the pitch itself?
AH
The pitch was a problem because the covers were down there for frost but when you have got four inches of snow you have still got to get rid of that then you can have a look at what the playing surface is like. So, that was the main focus and in the meantime there were club staff clearing the terraces. But, once we got the salt on there temperatures have risen a bit as well and confidence started to rise.
Mr (Scott) Mathieson arrived about 11.40am and he took a very, very quick inspection because the pitch is taking more than a heel, it will take studs, so that is what his concern is. He spoke to the safety staff and they have been monitoring us all morning to be honest with you. They are all happy that the walkways and the other areas are clear, so we have got the thumbs up.
JM
Get on down there, so we need a big win this afternoon then don't we?
AH
We saw it last season, round three and we went to Goodison Park, wouldn't it be fantastic to do something like that again. But, come down in recognition of what the groundstaff have done and all of the staff have done to get the game on. Cheer the lads on and let's get another big one.