20 October 2023 , 17:12
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Rotherham's game against Championship rivals Ipswich was postponed on Friday after Storm Babet ripped through South Yorkshire.
Kieran McKenna's side, who are chasing promotion to the Premier League, were hoping to go 11 points clear of Preston in third by winning at struggling Rotherham. Yet flooding in South Yorkshire saw the televised clash postponed "on grounds of supporter safety". The pitch was playable.
Sceptical fans expected the game to be called off, with dozens of trains and coaches cancelled. Rotherham Central train station was flooded by Friday morning. Both clubs did all they could to get the game on, but that only delayed the inevitable postponement.
It eventually came at 5pm - just three hours before kick-off. The decision was made following an emergency meeting at 4:30pm. Rotherham said they were "obviously disappointed for supporters due to attend and those set to watch at home".
But hundreds of drenched Ipswich fans were already in Rotherham when the postponement came, with one group spending £80 on a taxi from Nottingham after their train was cancelled mid journey. "Wishing all those who have made the trip to Rotherham a safe journey home," wrote Ipswich on X.
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Supporters of both clubs have slammed the "disgraceful" lateness of the call and "woeful" communication they received. Safety concerns were raised earlier in the day after Rotherham's River Don burst its banks.
Many fans believe the game would've been called off a lot sooner if it wasn't televised. Sky Sports have told Mirror Football the postponement is "purely down to safety".
Storm Babet has flooded many parts of the UK (Getty Images)What do you make of the postponement? Let us know in the comments below!
Rotherham boss Matt Taylor admitted he was "disappointed" not to play against "one of the best teams in the league" but hopes fans will understand the decision. He added: "A few of the players have arrived, all of the staff have arrived... but the river has just burst its banks. It's risen pretty quickly in the last hour or so.
"It's shame for everyone involved. The supporters will feel it and be emotional more than anyone else... but I can guarantee people's safety here at the stadium and around it is so, so important."
It's the second time rain has ruined a Rotherham game this year after their home clash with Cardiff was abandoned in March, with the visitors winning 1-0. The Bluebirds won the rearranged meeting 2-1.
More postponements could follow on Saturday, with heavy rain continuing to fall across much of the UK. Yellow, amber and even red weather warnings remain in place. Two Scottish Premiership matches have already been called off.
Friday's other English Football League (EFL) games - Newport vs Walsall and Tranmere vs Doncaster - went ahead as planned. Both of those fixtures were in League Two, with Newport drawing 3-3 with Walsall and Doncaster winning 2-1 at Tranmere.
Ipswich achieved promotion from League One last season and have made a terrific start to this campaign, winning nine of their first 11 games to sit second in the table. Rotherham, meanwhile, are stuck in the relegation zone with two victories to their name.