F.A.O. Forest collectors

[Rocky]

Does anybody know the reason why the Forest v Middlesbrough 15/12/79 game was postponed?

[westyorksnffc]

Rocky Boro wrote:

Does anybody know the reason why the Forest v Middlesbrough 15/12/79 game was postponed?

Off the top of my head, no, snow maybe?
_________________
Nottingham Forest Supporters Club
West Yorkshire Branch Secretary

Forest programme guide: www.nottinghamforestprogrammes.weebly.com (a steady working progress, any help or advice gratefully accepted!)

[Rocky]

westyorksnffc wrote:

Rocky Boro wrote: Does anybody know the reason why the Forest v Middlesbrough 15/12/79 game was postponed? Off the top of my head, no, snow maybe?

Thanks for your reply mate but somebody must know for definite?

[atletico]

Villa Reserves v Blackpool Reserves was also called off on the same day so yes it was probably heavy snow.

Found this text from a google search...
The dreadful weather on Saturday 15th December 1979 had forced the referee to reluctantly postpone Chesham United’s FA Cup 2nd Round Proper tie with Merthyr Tydfil

[Rocky]

Some good detective work there Atletico. It does look like Snow may have been the cause.

I too did a little bit of googling and on that day there was a 118 mph gust of wind recorded at Gwennap Head (Cornwall). Sounds like it was a crap day weather wise.

[atletico]

Just received a reply from Ken Smales who was the Nottingham Forest Secretary in the 60's, 70's and 80's.

Darren,

I have been able to trace the reason for the Middlesbrough postponement - waterlogged pitch.

Programme 26th December 1979 - Forest Focus

"The fixture list is already becoming confused with the first postponement of the season. It was a bitter disappointment when the Middlesbrough game was called off but, to be fair, referee Ray Toseland did not have to spend much time in making up his mind once he ventured out into the swamp."

Ken.

[Rocky]

Excellent Darren and many thanks for not letting this go. After previous posts I did a little more investigation myself and found that it was the only game postponed in the top two divisions that day (see link). That did seem to rule out snow and now your confirmation becomes the definite answer.

Cheers

http://www.sheffieldunited-mad.....;ssnno=109

[atletico]

No problem.

You should look at www.statto.com, it lists every first class football result.
Unfortunately it doesn't list the postponed matches.