Storm Darragh’s impending arrival on the southwestern coast of England has forced the postponement of several football matches, prioritizing the safety of players, staff, and fans amidst anticipated extreme weather conditions. Torquay United’s FA Trophy tie against Horsham, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 10th. The decision, made in consultation with the Safety Advisory Group and Horsham FC, comes as wind gusts of up to 80 mph are predicted to batter the region. While Torquay’s grounds crew had worked diligently to prepare the pitch, the potential for hazardous conditions for traveling supporters and the overall safety concerns ultimately led to the postponement. All tickets purchased for the original date will remain valid for the rescheduled match.
The storm’s impact extends beyond Torquay, affecting other sporting events across the region. Plymouth Argyle’s match against Oxford United has also been postponed due to the predicted 90mph winds. This postponement offers a temporary reprieve for Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney, who is reportedly under pressure following a series of heavy defeats. Although the club chairman has refuted claims that Rooney has just two games to save his job, the postponement delays a potentially crucial fixture for the struggling team currently teetering just above the relegation zone.
Other matches potentially affected by Storm Darragh include the League One clash between Bristol Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, and Yeovil Town’s FA Trophy match against Weymouth. Even beyond the professional leagues, Haverfordwest County’s Welsh Premier League fixture against Briton Ferry was postponed on Friday night. The widespread disruption underscores the severity of the approaching storm.
The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for wind – the highest level of alert – covering parts of Wales, Bristol, and North Somerset. This signifies a “danger to life” warning, primarily due to the risk of flying debris and falling trees. The warning also highlights potential damage to buildings and homes, including roofs being blown off and power lines brought down, leading to power outages and disruptions to other services such as mobile phone coverage. The public is urged to avoid all unnecessary travel and to stay indoors where possible. A broader yellow wind warning, indicating less severe but still potentially disruptive conditions, covers the whole of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, along with much of Scotland, extending until Sunday morning.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a statement highlighting the dangerous conditions expected due to Storm Darragh, emphasizing the risks associated with travelling to and from football matches in high winds. The statement advises clubs to secure any loose items around their grounds, including bins, furniture, goalposts, and fences, to mitigate the risk of these objects becoming airborne projectiles in the strong winds. The FAW also indicated that potential postponements of fixtures scheduled for Friday, December 6th, and Sunday, December 8th, would be considered on a case-by-case basis, following each individual league’s policy.
Newport County’s match against Carlisle United has also been postponed due to the forecast of severe weather, combining an amber warning for rain and wind extending beyond the red warning zone. Concerns regarding fan safety during travel, the ability of emergency services to respond effectively in extreme conditions, and potential structural damage to facilities all contributed to the decision to postpone the match. Prioritizing the safety of traveling fans, staff, players, and officials, the postponement was deemed the most responsible course of action. A new date for the rescheduled fixture will be announced in due course. Cardiff City’s match against Watford has also been postponed in the interest of supporter safety, following advice from the Met Office. The club confirmed that all purchased match tickets and season tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date. A refund process will be available for those unable to attend the rescheduled game. These widespread postponements demonstrate the significant impact of Storm Darragh on sporting events across the region, with safety remaining the paramount concern.
