Newport fans work hard to get the game on

It was a real team effort to get Newport County’s home fixture against Barrow played on Saturday, with 120 fans volunteering to help the groundstaff clear a layer of snow off the pitch.

The Blue Square Bet Premier promotion chasers put out an appeal on Friday afternoon for any supporters who were free on Saturday morning to turn up to their Rodney Parade ground in the city center and help out.

Local business KMMHire and Alice Springs Golf Club even kindly lent the club and its army of volunteers the use of a tractor with its snowplough to help out, and Newport Mayor John Guy also turned up to get stuck in.

A statement on the club’s website yesterday morning informing supporters the game was going ahead, read: “Following the fantastic efforts from the team at Rodney Parade and our loyal supporters, we can confirm that today's game against Barrow AFC will go ahead.

“Our thanks go to everyone involved in clearing the snow from the pitch and stadium.”

Newport underperformed against bottom side Barrow, and went down to a 2-0 defeat that prevented them climbing back to the top of the table. Some supporters using the messageboards at www.the-exiles.co.uk believed that so hastily clearing the pitch had played in to the opposition’s hands.

nfcwales said: “What a stupid thing to do. Barrow’s team talk was easy. ‘They have cleared all this snow and made sure the game was on [because] they are convinced they will beat us, go out there and make them regret it’. And guess what...”

County-at-the-races agreed, adding: “Sometimes I really think the advantage goes to the away team from the team talk point of view. Perhaps next time the players can get...into town earlier and give a helping hand so they appreciate things more.”

But not all agreed, and other posters heartily thanked those that had given up their time to get the game on.

worksopamber said: “It was a fantastic effort to get the game on and had nothing to do with the end result. We lost because we were outplayed and out-fought.

“Nothing stupid in wanting to get a game played on...its scheduled day. Come the end of the season if we are in there pitching, it will be a godsend not to have a fixture pile up like some teams might have.”

Cornish Exile also praised supporters' efforts, adding: “It was a brilliant effort getting the game on, particularly when so many others fell by the wayside.

“For those who felt their efforts were not appreciated by the club, [Newport assistant manager] Jimmy Dack’s press conference...says it all. He praises the fans’ efforts and apologised for the team’s performance.”

Newport now sit a point behind Wrexham at the top of the table after using their game in hand up yesterday. Grimsby Town are third, a further point behind Newport, but they have a game in hand over both Welsh clubs after their game at Braintree Town on Saturday was called off for a frozen pitch.