Richard Sutcliffe: Why there's just no point risking a winter fixtures break

How, asked those calling for English football to fall into line with much of Europe, can clubs be expected to plan their finances sensibly when the weather is capable of wreaking havoc at such short notice?

And why, the advocates of a two or three-week break added, should supporters be asked to travel hundreds of miles in often shocking conditions only to then find out that there has been a late postponement?

Both are, admittedly, worthy points. Rotherham United, for instance, would be in trouble but for the relatively deep pockets of the current owner after having not had the benefit of the income from a home game since December 5.

Likewise, those Bolton fans who trekked all the way to north London last week only to find out snow and ice had forced Arsenal to call off their Premier League fixture late in the afternoon will have spent the journey back to Lancashire cursing the weather and its unpredictability.

That, however, is the crux of why a winter break just would not work in English football – no-one knows when the snow and ice will roll in, if at all.

Will it be over Christmas, as happened in the last really big freeze to hit football during the 1981-82 season when no Yorkshire clubs played on December 19, 26 and 28?

Or, maybe, it will come, as has happened in 2010, early in the New Year. Failing that, could February be the month when Britain shivers to a halt to leave the football fixtures decimated?

The simple answer is we don't know, hence why planning a mid-winter break would be an absolute nightmare as Sod's Law would invariably come into play by ensuring any resumption of games would come amid conditions more akin to Siberia.

Now, I know what some of you are saying: Predicting the weather is much more scientific these days so planning when a two or three-week break should take place is a lot easier.

Well, I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks weather forecasts, and particularly long-range ones, have got any more reliable in recent years should take a quick peek in the garage at the rusting barbecue that was bought on the strength of the Met Office's predictions of a balmy summer in 2009.

And if this is the "mild winter" we were also promised, then Sir Alex Ferguson is not a sore loser and Rafael Benitez is doing a fine job at Anfield.

Sorting out the logistics would also be a problem, not least as to just how early the season would have to kick-off.

Football fans enjoy going on holiday as much as anyone and if a fortnight away in Greece meant not being able to attend a couple of home games taking place in July, would a season ticket be quite as attractive a proposition?

Losing just a couple of hundred season-ticket holders could be a fatal blow to clubs from the lower divisions, so why run the risk?