Southend United sacking

Southend United groundsman sacked after frozen pitch postponement



Southend United have sacked their head groundsman of 27 years after Saturday's League One home tie against Bolton was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Ken Hare was dismissed from the club after freezing temperatures left the pitch unsafe to play on.

The referee called the game off just before 11am on Saturday morning, four hours before the scheduled 3pm kick-off.

The game between the two promotion-chasing clubs was one of four English Football League matches called off that day because of the cold weather.

In a statement, the club said "the decision surrounding Mr Hare was a disappointment."

People generally lose their position as a result of not doing their job. The necessary decision surrounding Mr Hare was a disappointment and of course not taken lightly.

Very few people have been dismissed at this football club over the past 20 years and that even extends to Managers.

Before the game, The Shrimpers announced on social media that covers and heaters were put in place on the pitch to try and keep the fixture on.

I met Argyle's and Exeshitters old groundsman Colin Wheatcroft on the train home on Saturday night.
What a thoroughly nice gentleman.