Heavy rain on New Year’s Day postpones the League One match between Wigan and Huddersfield with access roads to the stadium flooded.
The playing surface has been deemed playable, but it’s the surrounding area that has been hit by severe flooding, left underwater in parts.
Wigan have detailed safety concerns that led to the postponement decision, with photos of the flooding being posted on social media…
⚠️ Due to severe localised flooding in the areas surrounding The Brick Community Stadium, today’s game has been postponed…
An update on the fixture rearrangement will be announced in due course. #wafc 🔵⚪️
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) January 1, 2025
WIGAN STATEMENT:
This afternoon’s Sky Bet League One clash against Huddersfield Town has been postponed
Postponed | Latics v Huddersfield Town is OFF
Wednesday’s Sky Bet League One clash against Huddersfield has been postponed
An update on the fixture rearrangement will be announced in due course
Our New Year’s Day clash against Huddersfield Town has been postponed due to severe localised flooding.
Heavy rainfall over Tuesday night has made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the Brick Community Stadium was deemed playable.
However, safety concerns regarding the public areas surrounding the ground and the strain on local emergency services dealing with a number of major incidents, which have been affected by severe flooding, led to the league fixture being called off.
Access to the area is severely restricted with many access routes closed due to flooding, and the emergency services are unable to provide resources to support the matchday operation.
The news is naturally disappointing as Shaun Maloney and his players were looking forward to the highly-anticipated New Year’s Day fixture, but the safety of both sets of supporters is of paramount importance.
An update on the fixture rearrangement will be announced in due course. All tickets from the New Year’s Day clash will remain valid for the rearranged game.
And the 3rd .. pic.twitter.com/MkUS34QFYw
— Lesley (@Eclipse12002) January 1, 2025
The car park is flooded pic.twitter.com/4bRcv0bI17
— Lesley (@Eclipse12002) January 1, 2025
#htafc pic.twitter.com/4xnMsFYO73
— Ethan (@EthanHtafc) January 1, 2025
HUDDERSFIELD STATEMENT:
– Wigan Athletic vs Huddersfield Town postponed
– Fixture due to be played today, Wednesday 1 January 2025
– Postponement due to severe localised flooding surrounding Brick Community Stadium
We have been informed that today’s (Wednesday 1 January 2025) scheduled Sky Bet League One fixture with Wigan Athletic has been postponed due to severe localised flooding surrounding the Brick Community Stadium.
Heavy rainfall has created dangerous travel conditions in the area, and although the playing surface had been deemed playable, safety concerns regarding public area surrounding the Brick Community Stadium have led to this decision being made in the best interest of supporters.
Due to the severe weather, access to the area remains severely restricted, with many routes closed due to flooding. The home side have informed us that this has caused emergency services to be unable to provide the necessary resources to support a full match day operation.
Naturally, we are disappointed that Michael Duff, his coaches and the team cannot continue their Sky Bet League One campaign as planned on New Year’s Day, but the safety of supporters is of the utmost importance.
Supporters due to be with us today are advised to no longer make the journey to Wigan today, and we hope anyone who was already en route has a safe journey home.
An update on the rearranged fixture and full ticket details will be announced in due course, with all tickets remaining valid for the new date when finalised.
Thank you as ever for your patience, understanding and support.
Six flood warnings were put in place across Greater Manchester from December 31st going into January 1st as torrential rain battered the region.
An amber weather warning was issued across parts of Greater Manchester with an existing yellow weather warning for rain now upgraded in parts of Bolton, Bury, and Wigan.
The Met Office has warned the wet weather is ‘likely to cause disruption’ in these areas, with some flooding expected.
The public were told to expect difficult driving conditions, ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater’ that could cause danger to life, and delays and cancellations to public transport services.
“Persistent and, at times heavy, rain will continue overnight before clearing southwards on Wednesday morning,” the Met Office said. “40-50 mm rain is expected fairly widely, with 50-100 mm across west-facing hills. There is a chance a few locations could see in excess of 100 mm.”
The Met Office warned people to expect: “Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life; Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; A good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads; Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely; Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely.”
POLICE STATEMENT:
Following severe, heavy and persistent rainfall throughout yesterday and overnight on New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day, it has resulted in flooding in a number of affected areas across Greater Manchester.
These are:
Bolton
Didsbury
Harpurhey
Stalybridge
Stockport
Wigan
Also working with the Environment Agency and Highways England, officers and specialist resources, including mountain rescue, have been deployed to assist with transport and travel and where needed help with the response by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as reports continue around damage, risk to life and stranded vehicles.
On the response, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose said: “Following events overnight a major incident has been declared. This is to ensure we can continue to keep people safe through a co-ordinated effort from our collective emergency services, supported by key partner agencies.
“Anyone affected should check the relevant detail being shared by their local council, the fire service and Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure they can get the support available, which include any road closures and information centres for those displaced. It is advised to travel if it is only necessary and to take care if out and about.
“Our officers with the fire service are in the key locations and can be spoken to if you need anything urgently, as we understand the distress those affected will be faced with as we begin 2025. It will be a continued team effort as we monitor how the weather and water levels progress throughout today.”
Flooding in your area
If flooding has affected your area, you can contact Floodline by phone on 0345 988 1188 or by text on 0345 602 6340, or contact your local authority if you have questions.
You can sign up for flood warnings at gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
Anyone with information around any developments or in need of assistance are asked to call 101 quoting log 3258 of 31/12/2024. In an emergency, always dial 999 in the first instance.
Twitter users reacted as heavy rain on New Year’s Day postpones the League One match with access roads to the stadium flooded…
@WafcHugh: Another 3pm home game down the drain…
@OddsT3rrier: Football cancelled but we’re going on the lash round Wigan anyway! #htafc
@KathrynHodson: Disappointed but the best action as most areas around stadium Asda and Wigan are flooded
@ScouseTicsmon: Good I’m fuckin hanging
@NorthernJJ1111: Why leave it so fucking late to announce. No way has the flooding just happened. Piss take. Fans losing money etc. turned up to the coach to be turned away! Fucking shithouses
@joeh50: Too rough to make it anyway. Get in.
@JoeKelly14: Tinpot but glad as hangover
@nathangreeny: Nothing can be done but that’s another game that people will miss being played on a Tuesday night #wafc
@wiganrugbykings: That area around the stadium is a pain in the arse for flooding, this has been going on for decades now, surely the council need to step in?
@GregFarrimond: A signing, half of the town under water and a late postponement all before midday on 1st Jan. Get the feeling 2025 may not be as boring as we expected #wafc
@brentwafc: Prior to news that the gane been called off quick look at the Huddersfield timeline is full of train Cancellations and road closures post to each other. Huddersfield fan “can’t believe game been called off” #wafc
