clippedgull
Hotdogs, extra onions
walsall fc
THE SADDLERS' groundstaff are battling the elements to ensure that the Banks's Stadium pitch is playable in time for Saturday's League One encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Snowfall and dropping temperatures have affected most of the country over the last few days and today Stadium Operations Manager Dave Storr, Head Groundsman Derek McCann and their team have been busy clearing the snow from the playing surface.
Once this is done, frost covers will be laid this evening in a bid to beat the chill.
"The temperature dropped to around -9C last night," explained Dave Storr. "Because the temperature dropped so low, the best course of action was to leave the snow on the pitch overnight as it acted as an insulator.
"The weather has affected the whole area but we are hopeful that, once the pitch is cleared of snow, it will begin to thaw out as the sunshine gets to it during the day. Frost covers will then be employed to insulate the surface at night.
"We are monitoring local weather reports and, by all accounts, the temperature is set to rise as the week goes on."
An estimated eight tonnes of snow has now been moved from the playing surface.