Kentish Football 
THE BIG FREEZE: WHITSTABLE HOPEFUL FOR BIG CROWD IF FANS CAN HELP GET RAMSGATE GAME ON
Sunday 26th December 2010
WHITSTABLE TOWN officials have issued a rallying cry for supporters’ help to ensure their lucrative Bank Holiday Monday Kent derby against Ramsgate goes ahead at Belmont Road, writes Stephen McCartney.
There was no football played in Kent on Boxing Day as games at Bromley, Dartford and Erith & Belvedere were all frozen off.
Dartford’s clash against Welling United failed an early morning pitch inspection, with co-chairman David Skinner confirming the pitch side temperature at Princes Park Stadium at 09:15 in the morning was minus eight degrees.
Bromley pulled out all of the stops to get their home clash against Dover Athletic on at Hayes Lane, before it failed an eleven o’clock inspection.
“Over 20 people were working hard to get the surface clear,” said Bromley secretary Colin Russell this morning, adding, “We were giving it every chance. The pitch was flat and was improving every minute but it was still frozen.”
One volunteer added, “There was a reasonable number of us thee, but I think even if 100 turned up we would have been fighting an impossible battle.
“It looked promising when the tractor drove round sweeping it and parts were soft and playable but other parts were totally unplayable. You can pick up all the ice but if the ground is totally frozen, there’s not a lot you can do and parts were really slippery.
“There was maybe a glimmer of hope with the three o’clock kick off that the sun might do something and the crowd could have been pretty good with Crystal Palace’s game with Norwich City off, but sadly I think the referee made the only decision he could have.”
Another match in Blue Square Bet South, Lewes-verus-Ebbsfleet United was also postponed, following a ten o’clock pitch inspection at The Dripping Pan.
Five games are scheduled for the Ryman League in Kent on Bank Holiday Monday, with pitch inspections already scheduled for Sittingbourne (10:00) Folkestone Invicta (11:30) and Whitstable Town (12:00).
Folkestone secretary, Neil Pilcher, rates their game against Maidstone United as “no better than 50/50,”, whilst Sittingbourne and Faversham Town looks likely to be postponed.
Sittingbourne secretary, John Pitts, said: “Very little chance of match being played. Have to be a massive thaw. Surroundings are dangerous too.”
But along the coast, Whitstable hope their Ryman League Division One South clash against Ramsgate goes ahead.
Press officer Tony Rouse said: “If no frost, there’s a 90% chance game will go ahead. We’re the only game for 25 miles so we’re hoping for a good gate.”
He added: “We are down the ground at 09:30am to inspect the pitch and clear ice if necessary.”
Whitstable Town chairman Joe Brownett, meanwhile, has appealed to supporters to play their part to ensure the Kent derby does go ahead.
“With the latest weather forecast for our area saying no more snow, we are hopeful we can get the game on,” Mr Brownett told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.
“We do need help clearing the pitch and making the public access areas safe, and I would like to ask the supporters to come down to the Belmont on Monday morning at 9-30 to help.
“We are the only game scheduled for in the area for Monday, both Herne Bay (on Tuesday) and Faversham are away so we are hoping for a big crowd. I believe that if we all work together then we have a very good chance that the game will go ahead.
“It should be a cracking game and I would ask all the supporters to bring a friend and let’s end the old year in style, and get the new one off to a flyer.
“Thank you all for your support through what has been a difficult season so far, you have stuck by the club which shows the passion there is around Whitstable for local football. I look forward to seeing you all at the Belmont.”
Pitch inspections for the games between Hastings-Tonbridge Angels; Margate-Cray Wanderers; Great Wakering-Thamesmead Town and Chatham Town-Eastbourne Town are to be confirmed.
The sole Kent League game on Monday, between Sevenoaks Town and Tunbridge Wells, was postponed on Christmas Eve.
“There is still a large covering of snow on the pitch, which is also frozen underneath, and despite our best efforts, burst pipes mean we have no water in one dressing room or our kitchen/tea bar,” said a club statement, posted on www.sevenoakstownfc.org.
“There is also the added problem of a snow/ice covered car park, which we feel is a health and safety issue as it resembles an ice rink.”
Meanwhile, there are a couple of Kent League games scheduled for Tuesday; Norton Sports and Herne Bay, scheduled to kick-off at 13:00; and Hythe Town-versus-Lordswood, 15:00.
In Blue Square Bet South, Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United and Welling United are looking forward to the visits from Lewes, Dartford and Bromley respectively.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd