I have a feeling that it'll be called off.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

Answers

Ooh, not floods? 9:30 is a bit late to cancel the prawn sarnies. Aah think it'll gaan aheed.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

Here's what Ronnie has to say:

Match hopes good

Newcastle United are confident that their underground heating will save tomorrow's match against Manchester United at St James's Park.

The United ground staff took the precaution of switching on the undersoil heating before the snow began to fall and with St James's Park almost completely enclosed there should be no problems with snow in the seating areas.

Mind, I'm surprised the satff had the foresight to switch on the heating in advance of the snowfall. That looks like forward planning. My gast has never been so flabbered in a long time. (Neither has my flab been so ghastly).

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

It is very late for a pitch inspection. Absurdly so, IMHO.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

Aunty is reporting:

FOOTBALL

Inspections/Postponements: Definitely off: PREM Aston Villa v Leicester PREM Everton v Leeds

You'd have thought with all the building work at VP they could clear the snow away with all the equipment they have there. Dunno id Goddison has hot grass.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

It is so late that the Manure fans getting on busses in Southampton or coming by train from London or getting on airplanes in Thailand will already be on their way to SJP.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

See ya there Jussi?

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

LoL. What's UR ETA LR? CU there?

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

The lights were on tonite. I expect they hi-jacked a gritter gannin' up Barrack Road and diverted its contents onto the upper reaches of the Milburn and SJH stands. Can't imagine the pitch will be a problem - Broadway Field looked perfectly playable to me tonite ;-))

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

Am I right in thinking that all Premier clubs have undersoil heating - it's a rule of the premier? If so it's a puzzle why any matches should be called off at all. Presumably only a waterlogged pitch could prevent a game.

The bottom could fall right out of the prawn sandwich market at this rate.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

It's nine o'clock in Newcastle and no snow overnight . I can't see why the match won't go ahead, as long as the heating system hasn't packed in that is. ... One thing I am a bit worried about is all the weight of the snow on the roof. Will you feel safe today with a foot of snow accross such a bit structure, Have they tested it?

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2000

Nowt to do wi the pitch. I think they're concerned aboot Softie's well being. There could be a lot of ice on the concrete steps. It's an aaful lang way ti faal from the top o' them new stands. But it'll be aalreet - the navvies were oot last neet clearing the ice.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2000

According to .com:

Advent Calendar The Finale: A Peytar in a Pear Tree

Pitch Inspection Match ON

A 9.30am pitch inspection has been passed and so today's game against Man United goes ahead. Unlike the other Premiership games at Villa, Bradford and Everton which have all been called off.

See ye's aal in the Straabeery then - two spells. One before and a celebratory one after.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2000