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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Leigh Curtis

Dover Athletic chairman blasts Notts County postponement as fans left out of pocket

Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter has claimed the National League postponed their clash against Notts County - and blasted the decision "an absolute disgrace."

Tuesday's game was called off five hours before kick-off despite passing a pitch inspection at lunchtime with fans already making their journey to the Crabble.

It is the second time the National League clash has been postponed after the first game, scheduled for January 8, was called off due to heavy rain two hours before kick-off.

Notts explained Tuesday's decision, which was made at 2.15pm, was taken by the match official in lieu of the weather forecast and based on reports of the lunchtime inspection.

Nottinghamshire Live has been told by sources close to the League that they were not involved in the decision to call the game off other than to ask the officials to take ownership of the situation.

However, Parmenter insists it was the National League who made the call for the game to be postponed and has now vowed to make a formal complaint.

"It's unbelievable," he told the club's website.

"It's inconceivable to me how somebody sitting in an office in London can call a game off when the pitch has just been inspected by a referee at 12.30pm.

"It was passed as easily playable and at 2.15pm the game is called off by somebody sitting in an office in London in conjunction with Mark Ives, the general manager of the National League.

"One minute they are charging and fining us for not completing fixtures, the next they are calling off fixtures unnecessarily to prevent us from completing fixtures.

"This can only be due to undue pressure from Notts County on the authorities.

"We had the pitch inspected by a referee. They said it was due to the weather forecast.

"From 3pm onwards, it's sunny intervals and light showers so you tell me how somebody sitting in an office can say whether a game is on or off?

"It's an absolute disgrace and we will be making a formal complaint about this.

"The manager has been out on the pitch and can't believe it's been called off. He thought we were joking.

"I've never known a game called off before anywhere because of a weather forecast and a perception of what might happen in five to six hours' time.

"There are no hurricanes forecast - it's a rain shower."

Notts fans had already paid for coach travel while others caught the train for the game at the Crabble. Some fans were also unable to get refunds on hotel rooms they had paid for.

Notts have yet to issue a response.

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