Torquay United Fans Forum

To Ricchinns. In 99% of matches at this level of football the only person who can call off a match for whatever reason is either the match referee or a local fully qualified referee called in by the club earlier. The reason for this is that it prevents a club calling of a match on the pretence that the pitch could be unplayable when perhaps they have a good few injured or perhaps suspended players and don’t really want it played. Advice not only from the weather people and also the groundsman would have indicated that a referee, if available, should have been called in earlier.

To Bert. In these instances it does take at least half an hour to inspect a pitch as it is not an easy thing to call off a match when everything has been organised and fans are on there way - especially away fans. I know because having been a Class 1 in the past I have had to call off a match on a number of occasions. Better to call it off at late notice than half wat through.

In the majority of cases it is only the referee who can postpone a match due to the pitch being unplayable - ie waterlogged,snow, ice and the like. Referees and the assistants normally arrive for this class of match around two hours before kick off and one of the first things they do is walk the pitch for any problems there might be with it irrespective of the weather.
So it seems as though the officials have arrived and done there job correctly. The club should have realised that there might be a problem with the pitch earlier and called in a local qualified class 1referee for advice and to give an earlier decision. As to the suggestion of no referee being available they would have a list of qualified officials or got in touch with Devon FA to find one earlier of which I feel that one could have been found. So in conclusion I would say that TUFC have been a bit lax in the late postponement of the match.

In response to wivelgull and others. I was the guy who was the substitute Lino after the tannoy appeal. I was happy to oblige and run the line after the referee was injured. I was a class 1 referee for Somerset and also Gloucester FA but retired some years ago. I am a popside fan and attend every home game with my grandson and friends. I enjoyed the experience greatly and would like to thank everyone for mostly their great and kind comments on the way I performed which was reiterated by the players as well. Also all the crowd for my ovation when coming onto the pitch and at full time. Thanks again and to Torquay FC for their hospitality afterwards. If you need me again just give me a shout!!!

In response to wivelgull and others. I was the guy who was the substitute Lino and after the tannoy appeal I was happy to oblige and run the line after the referee was injured. I was a class 1 referee for Somerset and also Gloucester FA but retired some years ago. I am a popside fan and attend every home game with my grandson and friends. I enjoyed the experience greatly and would like to thank everyone for mostly their great and kind comments on the way I performed which was reiterated by the players as well.Also all the crowd for my ovation when coming onto the pitch and at full time. Thanks again and to Torquay FC for there hospitaly afterwards. If you need me again just give me a shout!!