Blades see promotion hopes hit by fixture backlog

The game, due to be screened live on Sky Television, was called off early on Saturday morning following a heavy deluge of snow over Bramall Lane in the previous 24 hours.

More than six inches had fallen, prompting South Yorkshire Police to inform United officials that the approaches to the stadium were too dangerous for the match to go ahead.

The two clubs are now locked in talks over a possible new date for the Bees fixture, which could have a huge say in the outcome of the race for automatic promotion. But making headway is proving difficult due to a logistical nightmare that could yet worsen with the cold snap forecast to last until at least Easter.

Should either club suffer further postponements over a holiday weekend that is scheduled to include two games, the situation will become even more acute.

As it stands now with regards rescheduling the Brentford game, United have just one fully blank midweek date available during the run-in.

However, the Londoners are already in action that week with Uwe Rosler’s side heading to Crewe Alexandra on April 10 for a game that had to be postponed from its original date of February 16 due to the Bees’ FA Cup run.

Brentford do have two blank midweek dates in the calendar but Danny Wilson’s side are in action on both nights against Crawley Town (April 16) and Crewe Alexandra (April 23).

Adding to the pressures felt by United is the League One season ending a week earlier than the Championship on April 27 to accommodate the Champions League final at Wembley.

With all fixtures having to be completed by that date – which will allow the play-off final to take place on May 19, a week before the Champions League final – it means an almighty headache for the Blades.

One solution is to rearrange the game for Wednesday, April 3, which would mean a punishing schedule of three games in six days for United, who are at home to Carlisle United on the Monday and at Walsall on the Saturday .

Other options include a re-jigging of the existing fixture list or simply arranging the Brentford game for a Thursday.

Either way, Danny Wilson’s side seem set for a hectic final few weeks of the season as they look to clinch a return to the Championship.

Adding to the South Yorkshire club’s frustration on Saturday was the postponement meaning they missed out on the live transmission fee that Sky pay for broadcasting games.

United had worked hard in an attempt to get the game on but the heavy overnight snow made those efforts redundant.

Operations director Dave McCarthy said: “It is such a disappointment that we didn’t quite make it, despite everyone’s best efforts.

“But those in and around Sheffield will appreciate just how much snow fell in such a short space of time.

“Although we were all looking forward to this big game, we have to respect the decision of the authorities and the safety of supporters and everyone involved remains paramount.”

Inspector Phil Barraclough, of South Yorkshire Police, admitted that the sheer volume of snow that fell in the 24 hours before the scheduled Saturday lunchtime kick-off left the authorities with no alternative but to call off the fixture.

Detailing the specific concerns that the police had with regards the staging of the Brentford game, Insp Barraclough said after the postponement had been confirmed: “The steps at the rear of the Kop stand are unsafe due to snow and ice and further drifting snow.

“There are long flights of steps at the rear of the Kop that are exposed to the elements and I have serious concerns about public safety in this area.

“Snow has drifted into the stands due to the high winds overnight and some gangways. Stairwells and seating are covered in snow. Again, I have concerns around pubic safety in these areas.

“The side roads are unsafe and are not passable in places. No side roads have been treated by the council with grit or salt and they have not been cleared.”

The Arctic weather that left the country shivering over the weekend also led to Rotherham United’s fixture with Exeter City in League Two being postponed. Bradford City’s home game with Bristol Rovers had been called off on Friday afternoon due to safety concerns.

Unlike the Blades, however, both Yorkshire clubs have two midweek gaps in their respective fixture lists.

City expect to rearrange the Pirates game for Tuesday, April 9. Exeter have blank midweek dates on both that date and April 23, which is also free for Steve Evans’s Rotherham.

However, with City set to play the Millers at Valley Parade in a rearranged fixture a week later, any further disruption by the weather could start to impact on the Yorkshire duo.

Of the games that did take place on Saturday, league leaders Doncaster Rovers’ trip to Scunthorpe United only went ahead following a noon inspection at Glanford Park.

Earlier, volunteers had been drafted in to help clear the pitch of snow in an attempt to ensure the League One encounter beat the weather.

Hectic run-in for Sheffield United

Fri March 29 v Tranmere (a)

Mon April 1 v CARLISLE (H)

Sat April 6 v Walsall (a)

Sat April 13 v SWINDON (H)

Tue April 16 v ..CRAWLEY (H)

Sat April 20 v Portsmouth (a)

Tue April 23 v Crewe (a)

Sat April 27 v PRESTON (H)

TBA v BRENTFORD (H)