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Page last updated at 15:27 GMT, Wednesday, 23 December 2009

Fleetwood move to protect pitch

Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood's next home game is against Vauxhall Motors on 28 December

Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town made attempts to avoid home games being postponed after acquiring a frost protection system.

The covers will protect the Highbury pitch when temperatures fall as low as minus five celsius.

"Although they can be seen as a luxury they will pay for themselves after just two or three at-risk games go ahead," said chief executive Steve Curwood.

"The level we aspire to expects games to go ahead as scheduled."

Last Saturday's game against Stafford Rangers was the only fixture to go ahead in Blue Square North.

A postponement is a real nuisance for everyone concerned

Fleetwood chief executive Steve Curwood

But with the match only getting the go ahead 90 minutes before kick-off, Curwood is hopeful the new system will avoid a repeat performance in the future.

"Although we were confident last Saturday's game would go ahead, there were no guarantees until the referee's pitch inspection," he said. "We don't want the club, the players or our supporters to be in that position again.

"A postponement is a real nuisance for everyone concerned. Supporters are unconvinced and want to make plans. The team just want to play football, particularly like last Saturday when a top two spot was at stake.

"The club also stands to lose financially if a game is lost to the weather, as rearranged midweek dates bring in far less revenue. That's why we have made a significant investment in a system which offers the correct level of protection."

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