M62 chaos: 'We did everything humanly possible to play Hull FC v Bradford match'
HULL FC's Super League game with Bradford Bulls was called off last night after the closure of the M62 prevented the club from being able to field a team.
An overturned tanker shut the motorway, first delaying the kick-off before a decision was finally taken at 8pm to postpone the match because eight of Hull's players were caught up in traffic.
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Bradford players leave the KC Stadium pitch after their match with Hull FC was postponed until Sunday
Now rearranged for tomorrow at 3pm, thousands of fans left the KC Stadium disappointed as Hull's second match of the season was called off for the second year running.
Following the frozen pitch incident at Catalan last February, this time it was an accident which put paid to the fixture as the two clubs and the RFL made the decision to move the game.
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Speaking to the Mail, match commissioner Dave Asquith said all parties tried everything possible but he was left with no alternative but to delay the match until tomorrow.
"We tried everything humanly possible, but at 8pm Hull's players were still stuck on the motorway," he said.
"We tried for as late as possible for the kick-off but unfortunately we couldn't accommodate that. All credit to both clubs for accommodating this alternative.
"Bradford wanted to play the game as much as possible, but there is no set ruling on this. It is just a case of common sense.
"You have to look at the transport logistics and last buses etc, so 9.15pm was really the latest we could play. It just wasn't to be I am afraid."
The match had initially been moved back to an 8.30pm kick-off, then 9.15pm, before a decision was taken just before 8pm to postpone, with most the fans waiting patiently inside the KC for the game to start.
Asked about why a late call was made, Asquith insisted all parties needed to give every chance for the game to go ahead, before having to make contingency plans.
"There was a delay to announce because we needed to check match stewarding, check with both clubs and Sunday is the best possible date," he added.
20 Comments
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by 3biesgalore
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:53PM
“forest 1513,only until jonny comes marching home lol”
by allwaysred1
Saturday, February 09 2013, 4:04PM
“.
by Forests_Mum”
by Forest_1513
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:34PM
“3biesgalore
They have been replaced with Hull City pictures”
by 3biesgalore
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:30PM
“just getting them cleaned,dont panic lol.the robins are really woried about jonnys piccys,lol”
by 3biesgalore
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:29PM
“just getting them cleaned,dont panic lol.the robins are really woried about jonnys piccys,lol”
by Ann_Onamoose
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:02PM
“It never ceases to amaze me the amount of c**p spouted on here by armchair observers who have no clue whatsoever what they are talking about. Let me tell you some facts about last night and the dynamics of motorway traffic congestion.
I work in Leeds and I travel along the M62 at that time every night. I actually overtook the Bulls coach around about Ferrybridge so I was AHEAD of the coach, as were the Hull FC players who got caught up in this. I actually got home at 10.30pm but yet the Bull coach that was behind me and the Hull players made it to the KC for 7.30.
With the volume of traffic at that time in the evening there was a window of about 30 minutes between 5.00 and 5.30 which was the difference between missing the accident altogether and being able to take the diversion. The Hull players, like myself, had gone past J34 which was the diversion route and hence got caught up where they could do nothing but wait. The Bull coach which was behind us arrived just as the traffic had backed up before J34. This gave them the opportunity to take the J34 diversion.
The Bradford Bull got lucky. If they had been 20 minutes earlier they too would have been stuck. People are saying the Hull players should have set of earlier. The irony is that if they had set off 30 minute later they would most probably have made it.
It was an accident that cannot be predicted and that 30 minute time period was crucial the eventual outcome of needing to postpone the game.”
by John2008
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:51AM
“What an indictment of this city if a sporting fixture has to be cancelled because of a road accident on the only major access road from the rest of the country.
Who on earth would bring a business to Hull knowing the potential risk of isolation at any time. If we want to get business moving in Hull, the powers that be need to get our communications sorted!”
by packo69
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:27AM
“by Forest_1513......can u watch the full game on the link 4 the allstars game? Thanks”
by packo69
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:26AM
“i find it amazing that the bradford team arrived on time, i'd av thought that on the day of a game all the team (FC) would be together going through there drills & moves, plus why didnt thay bypass the accidant on the m62 & go by the A or B roads!! It beggers belief really!! Can't thay afford satnav lol”
by FROGSPAWN11
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:20AM
“forest heard catalans turned up though!!!
also wakey are already waiting for you, 2 games 0 points!!!!!”