Brentford Football Club Chief Executive Mark Devlin was left disappointed and frustrated after the npower League One match against Stevenage was postponed.
The Bees were set to entertain the Hertfordshire club in front of a near capacity crowd at Griffin Park.
The Club had run a ‘Pay What You Can’ initiative, with all tickets available for what supporters could afford, with a minimum of £1 and almost all tickets for home areas had been sold.
But persistent rain in West London over the past few days left the Griffin Park surface waterlogged.
It meant Brentford could not extend their run of four straight League One wins on a day where three points would have left them top of the table after long-time leaders Tranmere Rovers were beaten by Swindon Town on Friday.
Mark admitted he was “flat” after the decision was made but was now looking ahead to Brentford’s next match – a trip to Colchester United on Boxing Day.
“I am frustrated for everyone who has worked really hard on the initiative,” said Mark.
“I am frustrated and disappointed for the players, who have been on a roll.
“I am frustrated for the supporters, who have backed the initiative in great numbers and, after last night’s result for Tranmere, would have wanted to come here to watch the team go top of the table.
“Everyone has worked really hard, the fans have backed us, the players are playing some really good football and the weather Gods decided it wasn’t our turn to play.
“I’m really disappointed.
“I was really flat just after the decision was made but now I am starting to look towards the Colchester game.”
Mark said referee Simon Hooper had no choice but to call the game off having looked at the playing surface.
He said Head Groundsman Nick Baldwin and his team had been working all week to get the game on but were beaten by the weather with heavy rain on Thursday and then in the hours before the game.
“The inspection was at about 11.30am, there was a slight break in the rain and I was trying to encourage the referee to give us every hope and opportunity to get the game on,” said Mark.
“But while we were out there the rains started to come down again and now, an hour later, it is coming down as heavy as it was this morning and there was no chance with the game going ahead.
“The ground staff were all out there as much as possible.
“We had a good day’s weather yesterday and they spiked the pitch to help the drainage.
“But with the sheer amount of rain – and I’m told there has been two inches in this area since 3am – the pitch couldn’t cope.
“A break in the weather might have allowed us to get the game on but it’s still coming down and is forecast to continue.”
Mark said the ‘Pay What You Can’ initiative had been an undoubted success.
He said it had worked financially and also as a way to get new faces in to Griffin Park.
As part of the initiative, when more than £5 was paid for a ticket, the Club will donate 50 per cent of the excess, excluding VAT, to the charity Sport Relief.
Mark said the Club would still benefit after making the donation and would not lose stock as the postponement came early enough to prevent food being cooked.
“The ‘Pay What You Can’ offer has been a success all round,” he said.
“The team behind the scenes have risen to it.
“We have limited facilities here and the staff have stepped up, worked some really long hours, to make it work.
“The fans have backed it – there were only a few hundred tickets to sell on the turnstiles today.
“I have been asked if it was a financial success.
“We make a revenue prediction for every game and for this game we had already generated far more than forecast.
“Some of that will go to Sport Relief but we will still make money.
“It would have been a record day in terms of food and beverages and it would have attracted some new fans, people who have not been for a little while.
“All round, a real success, apart from the rain.”
Mark said the tickets sold will be valid when the game is rescheduled.
That date will be announced when it is confirmed.
“The ‘Pay What You Can’ initiative will now move to the rearranged fixture,” said Mark.
“We hope that as many people as possible can come to that game.
“The ticket will be valid for that game.
“It will be a Tuesday night and not just before Christmas, which will be a factor.
“There will be some change in the crowd but we hope many people will take advantage of their tickets.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Mark Devlin here.