Football match is called off just hours before kick-off as stormy weather causes chaos across Britain
- The Met Office has issued yellow and orange weather warnings across Britain
- Local flooding in the area has led to clashes at Brick Community Stadium
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Wigan’s League One match against Huddersfield on New Year’s Day has been postponed due to flooding.
In a statement released four hours before the 3pm kick-off, the Latics informed fans not to make trips to the ground after heavy winds and rain lashed the Brick Community Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite the fact that the playing field is perfectly suitable for hosting the match, it was decided to cancel the match amid stormy weather chaos across the country.
On Tuesday, Met Office chiefs warned that more than five inches of rain could fall by the end of New Year’s Eve and heavy snow could hit the north of the country, where an amber ‘danger to life’ weather warning was issued.
“Our New Year’s game against Huddersfield Town has been postponed due to severe local flooding,” the club statement began. ‘Heavy rainfall last Tuesday evening made roads in the area treacherous, although the playing field at the Brick Community Stadium was deemed playable.
‘However, concerns about the safety of the public areas surrounding the ground and the pressure on local emergency services dealing with a number of major incidents affected by severe flooding led to the league match being cancelled.
Wigan’s League One match against Huddersfield has been called off due to flooding at their home ground
The Latics were hoping to return to winning ways after a run of three games without a win in the league
Shaun Maloney’s side currently sit 16th in the third tier with 27 points from their first 22 games
“Access to the area is severely restricted, with many access roads closed due to flooding, and emergency services are unable to provide resources to support match day operations.
‘The news is of course disappointing as Shaun Maloney and his players were looking forward to the much-anticipated New Year’s Eve, but the safety of both groups of supporters is of the utmost importance.
‘An update on the rescheduling of the match program will be announced in due course. All tickets for the New Year’s Day clash remain valid for the rescheduled match.’
Bad weather in Britain led to the cancellation of outdoor events during Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, including the street party and concert at Princes Street Gardens – headlined by Scottish band Texas – and the midnight fireworks.
Large parts of the country were told to brace for flooding as rising water levels could threaten lives and property.
Almost every part of Britain will be covered by at least one of the Met Office’s many weather warnings between Monday and Wednesday.
A yellow weather warning for heavy rain and snow is in force across most of Scotland for Monday and Tuesday, while an amber warning for rain is in place for an area around Inverness on Tuesday.
Stormy conditions are expected to spread to the rest of Britain, with yellow warnings for wind and rain for parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Weather warnings for rain and snow are in force for Scotland, as well as Wales and northern England
Waves crashing against the coast in strong winds at Cleveleys Beach near Blackpool on New Year’s Eve
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: ‘It will be a tough few days and a wet and windy spell for many into the New Year.
‘We encourage anyone planning to travel to keep up to date with weather forecasts and news from local authorities.’
The new year is off to a turbulent start with separate weather warnings for wind and rain on January 1.
According to the Met Office, winds of up to 60mph are forecast across much of England and Wales throughout the day on Wednesday, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills.