Boro look to Ipswich to soften blow for angry fans (From The Northern Echo)

Boro look to Ipswich to soften blow for angry fans

1:07pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Middlesbrough FC News By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

MIDDLESBROUGH want to hear what the final ticketing arrangements are going to be from Ipswich Town after expressing sympathy for the 730 travelling fans left out of pocket by the decision to abandon Saturday’s match at Portman Road.

Despite two previous pitch inspections, referee Dean Whitestone cut the Championship game short after 37 minutes.

With the game still goalless, he felt that the frozen playing surface had become dangerous.

For the supporters who travelled to Suffolk their disappointment was increased when it was confirmed from Ipswich there would be no refunds.

And fans will be unable to re-use the tickets for the rearranged date.

Ipswich, who do have the costs of two match-day operations to cover, are offering fans a 50 per cent reduction on tickets for supporters who decide to head back there when the rearranged date is confirmed, provided they retain their stubs for proof of purchase.

Supporters of both clubs are furious with the decision and talks between Ipswich and Middlesbrough are likely to continue this week in the hope of coming up with a suitable solution.

Middlesbrough’s chief operating officer, Neil Bausor, last night said: “The tremendous support our travelling fans give us is one of the factors behind the team’s excellent away form this season.

“The club, the manager and the players all very much appreciate the fantastic backing they give us and the considerable sacrifices they make in terms of their time and their hard-earned money in order to do so.

“We also share their disappointment at the game being abandoned at an early stage after they had made such a long journey to be at Ipswich on Saturday.

“We recognise there are very strong feelings from our own fans and also Ipswich Town supporters about this issue.

“We’re aware of the initial communication from Ipswich regarding pricing arrangements for the rescheduled game.

“However, we’re seeking clarification of exactly what the final arrangements will be.”

Feelings around Portman Road were running high on Saturday, with supporters aware Mr Whitestone had examined the pitch at 11.15am then again at 2pm before the 3pm kick-off.

Boro fan Nick Waites said: “It was ridiculous. The weather forecast on Friday for the area was bad enough, with overnight temperatures of well below zero.

“And they didn’t improve. I just can’t see how the pitch deteriorated so much in such a short space of time. The game should never have gone ahead if it was that bad.

“Now fans have to make plans to come back down, pay for the tickets plus the train, the petrol or the bus to get there.”

Talks are ongoing to come up with a date for the rearranged fixture.

Middlesbrough already have a hectic seven-game schedule in March.

Their fans had to pay £25 for their match-tickets. And while Middlesbrough – who will also have to cover the cost of the team’s two trips themselves – will look at the situation in the coming days, manager Tony Mowbray thinks the club will consider helping if chairman Steve Gibson thinks it is possible.

“A club like ours is a caring club, I’m sure we will take into consideration how arduous our fans’ trips were,” he said. “The chairman is from Teesside, he is aware of the hardships of getting to East Anglia. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did something. I can’t say that we will definitely do something because our club has had to tighten its belt.

But we all understand how hard it is for fans to keep paying out money to watch football.”

Portman Road does not have undersoil heating to protect the surface, so when they lifted the giant heated cover 90 minutes before the game it is thought to have had an immediate impact.

Mowbray, whose side dropped to ninth ahead of tomorrow night’s visit of Nottingham Forest, said: “The game got started because the referee felt it was playable. I think he was a very sensible young man to call it off. It was the right decision. Should he have made it earlier? Probably.”

Middlesbrough captain Matthew Bates, who did not travel to Ipswich through illness, should be fine to face Forest.

Stephen McManus, who is still interesting Bristol City and Ipswich, was a notable absentee from the matchday squad, despite Bates’ injury. Mowbray insisted, though, that his departure is not imminent.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell said: ‘‘We were the better side and had adapted to the conditions well.

‘‘But the last thing you want is more injuries or to lose a game because of the conditions.

‘‘When it becomes dangerous, it becomes a bit of a farce. As the game went on, the pitch became unplayable.

‘‘I fully understand the supporters’ frustrations but it was becoming more of a lottery every minute.

‘‘At 10am the tent was on the pitch and conditions were perfect.

‘‘I didn’t think there were any doubts, but when you take the covers off the weather gets at the pitch.

‘‘It’s a real anti-climax.”