Luton Town have apologised to fans over yesterday’s controversial late water-logged pitch postponement of Luton Town Ladies’ Kenilworth Road clash with Colney Heath but refuted claims it was to favour a men’s team training session, revealing after an investigation that even a Championship game would have suffered the same fate.
More than 800 supporters were in the stadium to watch the table-topping Hatters in Eastern Region Women’s League Premier Division action, but were left furious when the game was called off 15 minutes before kick-off after a downpour.
Accusations were made online that the decision was down to the ground staff, rather than the referee, claiming it was also because the men’s team were due to train on the pitch today, ahead of tomorrow’s Championship trip to Stoke City.
Luton Town issued two statements. First, this morning, was an apology and the announcement of an investigation into the timing of the postponement, while declaring they were ‘disappointed at the unverified responses from Luton Town Ladies FC’.
A second statement then later clarified that the decision was taken to ‘protect the pitch for matches at all levels’ and that, ‘Our ground staff insist that the same decision would have had to be made for a Championship fixture’.
A scheduled training session for the men’s squad today on the Kenilworth Road pitch has now also been moved ‘due to the pitch being unfit following the rain we have seen over the weekend’.
In their first statement, this morning, the club wrote: ‘Luton Town Football Club would like to apologise to any supporter who attended Kenilworth Road yesterday for the Luton Town Ladies match against Colney Heath Ladies, which was postponed following a torrential downpour in the build-up to kick-off.
‘The Football Club is currently running a full investigation into yesterday’s events, specifically into the decision to call the game off and the timing of it, which we will make public at the earliest time possible.
‘However, we have been disappointed at the unverified responses from Luton Town Ladies FC, which is an independently run team under Luton Town’s naming license who were invited to use our stadium yesterday, and will be holding discussions with club officials before commenting further.”
That came in response to the release of a statement from Luton Town Ladies yesterday from chairman Mark Wareham and secretary Dave Baker, which said: ‘On behalf of all the management and people who worked behind the scenes to put together the preparation for today’s game, we can only apologise to the 800+ supporters present.
‘We, as well as everybody in the stands were extremely disappointed that the game was postponed as players were preparing to kick off.
‘The 15 minutes downpour before kick-off meant the pitch was deemed unplayable by the ground staff at Luton Town, a decision that was totally out of our hands.
‘All refunds will be organised by LTFC via their ticket office.
‘We are watching the social media and share the frustration of today’s comments and will be open and honest in discussions with the club.’
That was accompanied by a social media backlash as fans criticised the way the postponement was handled.
Luton Town followed up their first statement in the morning with an update at 12:38 pm.
That read: ‘The Luton Town Ladies v Colney Heath Ladies match due to take place at Kenilworth Road yesterday was called off because the pitch was waterlogged as a result of a torrential downpour in the build-up to kick-off, and deemed unplayable by all parties.
‘This decision was taken to protect the pitch for matches at all levels in the coming weeks and months, including Ladies and Academy as well the men’s first team. Our ground staff insist that the same decision would have had to be made for a Championship fixture.
‘Due to building work taking place at The Brache and the team coach being unable to gain its usual access, the men’s team were scheduled to be using the stadium pitch today for walking through their shape before travelling to Stoke ahead of tomorrow’s league fixture.
‘This session has also been moved due to the pitch being unfit following all the rain we have seen over the weekend. The players will now travel from The Brache to the stadium to board the coach later this afternoon.
‘Once again, we apologise for the timing of the decision to call the game off, and for the disappointment experienced by supporters who were already in the stadium ready to watch Luton Town Ladies in action at Kenilworth Road for the second time this season.’
It added: ‘We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another fixture later in the campaign.’
