Chris Wilder said it was a “massive let-down” when Saturday’s League Two home game against Shrewsbury was called off due to a frozen pitch.
It had been hoped covering the pitch at the Kassam Stadium would keep the frost off, but a drop in temperature on Friday night saw the pitch freeze up and the game postponed – then came the snow.
Even the club offices were closed on Saturday, and yesterday’s children’s party at the Kassam Stadium had to be called off.
And hundreds of other fixtures – including ice hockey – had to be called off as the big freeze hit.
It means that the U’s have not played for a fortnight, following the postponement of last Saturday’s match at Lincoln because of the big freeze.
“I’m really disappointed that it was called off as it’s two weeks without a game,” said Wilder.
“We wanted to build on the two wins that we have got and I felt there was a real mood in the team and the club that if the game was on that we could go and win it.
“Players work very hard in the build-up – footballers want to be playing matches – so it was a massive let-down.
“But I think the fact that no-one else (in League Two) was playing meant the effect was less severe.”
The postponement also meant training had to be cancelled.
Wilder said: “I couldn’t get the players in and if I had done that, I could not have got them back out again.
“We will just have to wait for the weather to clear because I don’t want players stuck on the motorway. I am not going to put anything at risk.
“We have to take a sensible view of it. Our players are a fit bunch and they will do some work at home.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here