YCFC v AFC Fylde - Game Cancelled

York Stadium Management Company would like to firstly thank our highly qualified and experienced ground staff for the incredible effort put in this week trying to make the pitch playable. We would like to give the fans an update on events over the past 7 days, so everyone has an understanding.

On Friday 12th January, the pitch was covered with frost covers in preparation for the forecasted cold weather. Our frost covers are guaranteed to protect down to temperatures of -4. Unfortunately, the stadium’s weather station recorded temperatures of -5 with a wind chill of -7 overnight on Sunday 14th. The stadium was hoping to host Leeds Utd U21s v Everton U21s on Monday 15th. Unfortunately, the pitch was not playable as it was still frozen in places. Despite all efforts, the referee took the decision to cancel the match. Consequently, we left the frost covers in place with the addition of grow lights to try and heat the frozen areas in order to provide the best opportunity for Tuesday’s match to go ahead. Unfortunately at the time of the match officials inspection, the weather beat us once again as the ground under the frost covers was still frozen.

The covers remained in place until Thursday 18th when the recommended time limit was up for the pitch to be covered without potentially causing longer term damage. Even though we are lucky enough to have a SIS hybrid pitch, it is still 92% natural grass and needs natural light and air. On removing the covers, the pitch was still alive but very stressed under the conditions of the past week. The grow lights have remained in place on the grass in the frozen areas during this time.  However, the weather has beaten us again, and today’s match will have to be rescheduled.

York SMC will continue to monitor the pitch and weather conditions to ensure that future scheduled matches at the Stadium will have the best possible chance of play. We will continue to keep all parties updated.