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Archived News from December 2006

CHESTER GAME POSTPONED
22nd December 2006 14:01


The game against Chester on Friday night was postponed due to a frozen pitch. 90% of the pitch was frozen.
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STAGS GAME IS OFF
Evening Post, 22 December 2006
Mansfield Town's clash against Chester City at Field Mill tonight has been postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Local referee Russell Booth - who is on the Football League list - inspected the playing surface at 11.45am and had no hesitation calling off the League Two fixture.

The club also had health and safety concerns over the stands because of frost and ice on some of the steps.

Head groundsman Michael Merriman said: "The match has been in doubt for the last three or four days since it started freezing on Tuesday."

"Even where the sun has been on it, it is still rock hard and so obviously there is no way it can be played on."

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EARLIER UPDATES:
11am update:
According to Mansfield 103.2 & the MTFC Groundsman, there is only a 10% chance of the game going ahead.
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Frozen Field Mill
from http://www.mansfieldtown.net, 10.30am, Friday

A Lunchtime Pitch Inspection is shceduled for twelve o'clock this afternoon to determine whether this evening's game Versus Chester City can go ahead or not.

Three days of frost and freezing fog has left the playing surface at Field Mill frozen solid but with conditions improving as the day goes on local referee Russell Booth will carry out the inspection and make the decision as to whether the game can be played. the results will be announced on http://www.mansfieldtown.net as soon as possible
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Holland calls on fans to back the team for big game
CHAD website, 21 December 2006

CARETAKER boss Paul Holland urged Mansfield Town fans to turn out and get behind the team as Stags take on Chester City in a crucial game at Field Mill tomorrow night (7.45pm).
Holland was handed charge of team affairs after manager Peter Shirtliff was sacked on Tuesday.
And he takes over with the club having only won once in eight games, managerless, up for sale, and only four points from the drop zone.
"I urge fans to come down and get behind the team and just forget about all the other problems for now," he said.
"Even if you don't think I should be caretaker, I just want the best for Mansfield Town as I know you do.
It has been a difficult week here with Peter going and the weather making training difficult.
"But the Chester game is a massive game for us and a win would help take the pressure off before Christmas.
"I love this club and enjoy coming to work here. I like putting a smile on people's faces in the building and now I want to do the same for poeple outside the building.
"I have done everything here from painting to coaching.
"I have never been in this situation before but I have worked with several managers.
"Already some of the senior players here have been in and offered me help if I need it which was nice."
He added: "I will go with a mix of ideas from the people I have worked with which I hope will be a winning formula.
"I want the players to go out and have no fear and let me take the pressure.
"I want them to go out there and do what they are best at, play to their strengths, and enjoy their football with a smile on their faces.
"I want good attacking football with everyone on the front foot. If it's not good enough then it's not good enough but I think it will be.
"We have to start driving home our advantage and cut out the silly errors and then we can start moving up the table."
Holland is qualified for the position as he is already working towards the necessary badges.
Jake Buxton is back in training after his back strain so Stephen Dawson is expected to be the only absentee from the squad.
With cold weather predicted, there are question marks over the Field Mill surface and a pitch inspection is planned for tomorrow morning.
If the game goes ahead Chester are likely to be slippery customers as they have only lost once in six games and pulled off a superb 2-0 win at Peterborough last weekend.

 

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