Lincoln City CEO says review needed of Bristol Street Motors Trophy tie postponement at Accrington
- Published
Referee Martin Woods (pictured talking to his assistants) made the call to postpone late on
Lincoln City chief executive Liam Scully has said the late postponement of their Bristol Street Motors Trophy tie at Accrington must be reviewed for the benefit of "all football fans".
Referee Martin Woods called the game off because of a frozen pitch two minutes after the scheduled kick-off.
Imps boss Michael Skubala told BBC Radio Lincolnshire both clubs wanted the second-round tie to go ahead.
"We have to find something better for the fans," Scully said.
"There has to be something better for everyone involved. We certainly don't want a situation like this ever again. It was completely unprecedented."
Scully said he experienced "every emotion under the sun" at how the postponement was handled.
"[There was] disappointment, anger, sympathy, frustration. [I'm] desperately disappointed for the fans that had turned up, those who travelled, those who came home from work earlier to watch it on iFollow, for Michael [boss Michael Skubala] and his team.
"I just think it was just unsavoury for everyone involved in the game."
Scully has since requested to be part of a "review and debrief" with Accrington, the English Football League (EFL) and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
"Before we start pointing the finger we will look in the mirror, and hopefully over the next few days with the authorities that is what we will do," Scully told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
"Regardless of blame, we just want to find a better way for football fans - not Lincoln City, not Accrington Stanley, but for all football fans, because it's an occurrence that is happening too much at this moment in time."
The late postponement of the game came three days after non-league Alfreton's FA Cup second-round home tie against League Two Walsall was called off because of a frozen pitch minutes before kick-off.
Accrington and Lincoln City also say they will share the cost, external of their rearranged fixture.
Refunds have been offered, with replacement tickets now being sold for £1, while free travel is also being arranged for the rearranged game on Tuesday, 12 December.
"As clubs, we will take the costs on the chin. It's our responsibility to do that and we own that and accept that," Scully said.
"But hosting two games will cost both clubs a significant amount of money."
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