Cold weather leaves Fir Park clash on ice
MOTHERWELL have postponed today’s cinch Premiership encounter against St Mirren because of “extensive stadium damage and flooding” at Fir Park. The return to domestic action was called off yesterday lunchtime after the recent cold spell hit the Lanarkshire ground.
A club statement read: “With temperatures dipping to as low as - 12 at Fir Park in recent days, three of the four stands have been without running water or heating in the spectator areas, with even toilets completely frozen.
“Whilst most of the pipework remains frozen, many of those that have started to thaw have burst, leading to extensive flooding damage that would be impossible to fix and make safe, particularly with weather warnings for more freezing overnight temperatures. With that in mind, the club has notified the SPFL of our concerns and the match has been cancelled on stadium safety grounds.”
Chief executive Alan Burrows added: “It is extremely frustrating for everyone involved to have this off, particularly with a sold- out hospitality
and a big crowd expected in both the home and away stands.”
Meanwhile, St Mirren defender Richard Tait will be out for at least two months following a groin operation.
The 33- year- old has been sidelined since coming off in the 3- 0 defeat by Hibernian at Easter Road on October 29 and eventually went under the knife.
Manager Stephen Robinson, however, believes the prognosis on his recovery could have been more unfavourable.
The Northern Irishman said: “Richard Tait has had an operation. He is going to be at least a couple of months but probably a bit less than we originally thought.
“We thought he would be the end of the season but the surgeon spoke positively about it. Without rushing him, it will be good to have him back in terms of squad depth but other than that everybody is fit and ready to go.”