McBride counts cost of big freeze

Hornchurch chairman Colin McBride was left to count the cost after seeing Monday’s clash with Aveley frozen off.

Romford’s Mill Field clash with Ilford was postponed earlier in the day, before the Bridge Avenue pitch failed a lunchtime inspection.

McBride said: “The pitch was rock hard. We had been clearing it, but there were a few ice and snow patches still on it and like everyone it has been a hard time.

“When you have games off on a Saturday or Bank Holiday, I would say it costs you about �1,000 every time.

“Crowds aren’t as big in midweek and people don’t drink as much before and after the games on a Tuesday, like Saturdays.

“We’ve had a few functions off as well so from a financial point of view, it has been a hard month.”

Attempts to put the fixture back 24 hours also proved fruitless.

McBride added: “We asked them to put it back, but they said they had three or four players working.”