Southend United groundsman sacked after Bolton Wanderers postponement

[ditchy]

Southend United have sacked their head groundsman after Saturday's League One match against Bolton Wanderers was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Ken Hare was dismissed after the game at Roots Hall was called off, following freezing temperatures overnight.

"People generally lose their position as a result of not doing their job," said a club statement.

"The necessary decision surrounding Mr Hare was a disappointment and of course not taken lightly."

The statement added: "Very few people have been dismissed at this football club over the past 20 years and that even extends to managers."

The Shrimpers said following the postponement that covers and heaters were put in place on the pitch but the temperature in Essex dipped to well below freezing and the referee decided the game would be called off in the interests of player safety.

Saturday's game was the first to be postponed at Roots Hall since January 2013.


Seems a bit harsh a statement from Southend. Sounds like he didnt put any covers out looking at the state of the pitch

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Southend sack groundsman for not being able to control the weather

The groundsman at Roots Hall has worked there for 27 YEARS, but because their game got postponed for a frozen pitch, he has been sacked.

Everyone agrees there is only so much a groundsman, a mere mortal without the power to breathe fire or thaw football pitches with his breath, can do to battle the elements, such as the use of covers or heaters. But sometimes, that’s not enough.

http://www.latetacklemagazine.com/n...an-for-not-being-able-to-control-the-weather/

 

[Greg Bobkin]

"...covers and heaters were put in place on the pitch but the temperature in Essex dipped to well below freezing..."

If the covers and heaters were in place, then why is that the groundsman's fault? Sounds like there's more to it than Sunday's postponement...

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I've read the article, and it's not clear as to why they sacked him. I think it's because he didn't put covers down and heaters early enough... I think

 

[Mr Banana]

"People generally lose their position as a result of not doing their job," said a club statement.

They evidently don't employ an HR Manager.

 

[Superseagull]

They evidently don't employ an HR Manager.

They may be regretting that decision once some employment lawyers get in contact with him.

 

[studio150]

Seems strange given the club comments in another post where they say they did everything possible including placing covers and heaters.

http://mobile.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/game-off-southend-v-bolton-postponed-due-to-frozen-pitch-3530547.aspx

 

[KingstonSeagull]

They evidently don't employ an HR Manager.

*A...

 

[Springal]

Seems strange given the club comments in another post where they say they did everything possible including placing covers and heaters.

http://mobile.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/game-off-southend-v-bolton-postponed-due-to-frozen-pitch-3530547.aspx

Maybe the heaters weren't plugged in

 

[vegster]

I blame Donald Trump.

 

[Rogero]

I thought I heard they owe the taxman lots of money. It sounds they are trimming staff.

 

[bn1&bn3 Albion]

Looking at those pictures I find it hard to believe covers AND heaters had been used.. Unless by heaters they mean 1 man walking around with a hair dryer..

 

[beorhthelm]

i'd hazard a guess that this wasnt the only event leading to the groundsman's sacking.

 

[kingcole]

I would love to have been a fly on the wall at his initial redundancy consultation!

 

[Easy 10]

Bearing in mind the matches at Charlton, Crawley, Orient, Dagenham and Woking were also frozen off, plus almost every game in the Vanarama South, this would seem to be a remarkably harsh decision.

 

[Fungus]

The pitch isn't the only consideration in freezing weather. What about the terraces, and streets around the stadium?

 

[B-right-on]

I blame Donald Trump.

Brexit's fault, get a grip....

 

[Frankie]

Must be more to this story than meets the eye , shocking treatment by Southend utd if the groundsman had in fact did all he could to try and get the pitch playable .

 

[vegster]

Brexit's fault, get a grip....

Nope, definitely Trump.. he freely admits to causing the rain to stop at his inauguration.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

If the groundsman didn't do his job it could be argued that neither did the CEO or directors by not investing in undersoil heating. I wonder if they'll get the sack too ?