Police chief praise for St Johnstone efforts

Jan 19 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH police match commander Dave Barclay yesterday praised St Johnstone personnel and fans for “monumental” efforts designed to save Saturday’s SPL clash with Aberdeen.

Heavy overnight rain put paid to a determined bid to pave the way for the first match of 2010 at McDiarmid Park, with match official Charlie Richmond forced to postpone the game because areas of the pitch were waterlogged.

It was a heartbreaker for Perth staff, outside contractors and 20 supporters who quickly responded to a Friday plea for volunteer manpower to help get the stadium shipshape for a big game.

Chief Inspector Barclay said: “I would like to praise the efforts of St Johnstone ground staff and others who did their best to get the game on. We were in discussions with club officials from as early as the previous Friday, because of the heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures experienced in Perth.

“The club mapped out their plans to tackle problems created by the weather. They pulled out every single stop in a bid to get the match on. Unfortunately overnight rain on Friday conspired against them.

“There had been a monumental effort to clear snow from the car park and access roads earlier in the week. I also know they were working hard to cope with burst pipes within the stadium. Directors and ground staff were almost working 24/7 and fans also did their bit. But they were defeated by the elements.”

Manager Derek McInnes praised supporters for rallying to the cause at 8am on Saturday, only for the call-off less than three hours later.

He said: “Their response was much appreciated by myself and the players. They were obviously as desperate as us to get a game on.”

Managing director Stewart Duff admitted it had been “bitterly disappointing” to admit defeat after persistent rain followed hard on the heels of the thaw.

Plumbers had been working for more than a week to replace burst pipes triggered by the freeze and contractors were drafted in to help clear the car park.

Damage caused to the undersoil heating system by minus 16 temperatures, after it had been tested successfully before the postponed Hibs game, was overcome by Thursday and the pitch would have been playable if the weather had been kinder overnight Friday/Saturday.

Mr Duff said: “It was a tremendous effort by ground staff, contractors and fans but despite overcoming so many hurdles overnight rain made the pitch unplayable. We’d like to thank the band of volunteers who turned out on Saturday morning.”