Concerns for the safety of supporters as a result of Storm Darragh has led to the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool being postponed.
A safety meeting between Merseyside Police, the two clubs and Liverpool city council early on Saturday morning concluded that there was no other choice but to postpone the game as high winds and rain battered the north west.
This was due to be the final league meeting of the city rivals at Goodison Park before Everton move to a new stadium at Bramley Moore dock next season, but it will now be rescheduled for later in the campaign.
Everton released a statement four hours before the planned kick-off confirming the postponement and Liverpool issued a similar announcement shortly afterwards.
Everton said: “Following a safety advisory group meeting at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside police and Liverpool city council this morning, it was decided that, due to the risk to safety in the local area due to strong wind gusts, and an amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today’s fixture should be postponed on safety grounds.”
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance.
“Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course. All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture.”
Given the packed festive schedule this month, it will likely be well into the New Year before the much-anticipated Goodison derby farewell can take place.
Liverpool will return to action on Tuesday with a Champions League clash away to Girona before hosting Fulham in the Premier League next Saturday. Everton’s next game will be away to Arsenal followed by meetings with Chelsea and Manchester City.
Young fan's dream dashed by weather
The postponement put paid to a young Everton fan’s lifelong dream of seeing his beloved Everton host Liverpool. Fifteen year old Mackenzie Kinsella, from Sydney, spent £1,500 to attend the derby having asked his Liverpool-born mother, Rita, whether he could return to England for the game.
“When we came back, he said it was his dream to go to an Everton v Liverpool game at Goodison Park. I said: ‘You’ve got no chance, mate. We’ve just come back from England and there’s no way I can save that money in the time we’ve got,’” Rita told BBC Radio Merseyside this week.
“He saved up the money, used all his savings and said two weeks ago: ‘I’d really like to go, Mum – will you let me go?’ I said: ‘I can’t stop you if you’ve got the money.’ We’re very proud of him.” The teenager added: “Everyone says I’m a lucky charm.”
Mackenzie, who is staying with an aunt in England, attended Everton’s 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday but has seen his dream shattered following Saturday’s announcement.
There have been a number of other postponements across the Football League as Red or Amber weather alerts were issued to much of the west of the country.
In League One, the Bristol Rovers v Bolton, Crawley v Stevenage and Blackpool v Rotherham games have also been called off, with plenty more postponements possible as inspections take place.
Championship matches between Cardiff City and Watford and Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United had been called off on Friday. The League Two meeting of Newport County and Carlisle followed suit after the Welsh FA called off all games in its jurisdiction.
Other sporting events were also abandoned, including the race meeting at Aintree.
