Dean Holden fumes over lack of communication from Peterborough United ahead of late postponement

Charlton boss Dean Holden has complained that the handling of today’s postponement at Peterborough United was ‘bang out of order’.

The game was called off by referee Andrew Kitchen just 90 minutes before kick-off due to areas of the playing surface failing to thaw out following freezing conditions in Cambridgeshire this week.

There had been no warning to supporters that the game was in doubt at any point.

Holden, who has now rushed onwards to Derby to watch them play Charlton’s next opponents Bolton, said: “It’s bang out of order. A classic example of supporters being put last. I can only apologise on behalf of our football club to our supporters. But it’s important we get some clarity on the timeline of events. I’ve had a nagging doubt all week because of the temperatures.

“I purposely got our secretary to ring Peterborough’s secretary yesterday at around four o’clock to check. We were assured there was no planned pitch inspections. They have covers, they have lamps. Even at midday today, Jim Rodwell (Charlton COO) rang the same secretary at Peterborough – same message. No planned inspection, everything is fine. Which is strange because the ref has told me that he was here at midday for a pitch inspection. I don’t know what miscommunication has gone on there.

“I first heard about it at 10 to one. I was at the hotel, about to go into the team meeting with the players. I got a call off our comms guy saying that the referee, if he had to call it now, would call it off. We arrived as quick as we could after the meeting at 20 past one. Half of the pitch is bone hard. Completely unplayable. Couldn’t be more unplayable. We’ll deal with the situation, but I empathise with our supporters. Hopefully they all get home safe.

“I’ve got no problem with the game being off. The pitch is bone hard. It’s the timing of it.”