BURNLEY DEVASTATED BY MATCH POSTPONEMENT

From www.liverpoolfc.tv

Paul Rogers and Mark Platt 07 January 2005

Liverpool's Third Round FA Cup tie against Burnley at Turf Moor was called off after a late inspection on a water-logged pitch. The decision angered the home club who believed the tie should have been played.
Dave Edmundson, Chief Executive of Burnley Football Club, told liverpoolfc.tv on Friday night: "We are extremely disappointed with this decision but it is one we have to respect and abide with.

"In my view the pitch is 95% fit to play on. Only five per cent is unplayable and that has cost us a cup tie here tonight. The staff have worked very hard here during the week and we couldn't have done more to get this game on.

"The conditions were not ideal but the pitch had recovered magnificently since the abandoned game on new years day. This postponement has cost Burnley football club £150,000 and is the worst case scenario for us."

Burnley had their game against Leicester cut short because of water on the pitch on New year's Day and there were fears all week that heavy rain in the north west would stop this game going ahead.

Tonight's pitch inspection confirmed those fears despite Burnley's groundsmen working around the clock to save the fixture.