By Matt Jones
December 29 2005

Toon boss Graeme Souness backs referee Mike Dean in his decision to call off last night's match at St James' Park. Charlton chief executive Peter Varney also comments, calling for a much more local festive fixture schedule.

Speaking to the Official website, Souness said: "Without a shadow of a doubt, it was right to call the game off.

"The big danger was to the public. It took me an hour to get here from just three miles away.

"It is freezing, and had we played the game it would have only got worse by the time we finished.

"I understand it was the safety officer who made the final decision to call the game off rather than the referee, but it was the correct decision.

"It is frustrating for me and the players. You get built up for a game, and then when it is called off you're deflated.

"But that's part and parcel of our game, you just have to deal with it and get on with it.

"The postponement changes things in terms of the players resting, but I haven't started planning for Tottenham yet.

"The players will train this evening, and then we'll begin the preparations for Spurs later in the week."

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney added: "You've got to feel for the 500 or so fans up here who have travelled all this distance and are not going to see a game.

"At the end of the day people who have had to travel this sort of distance for an evening game have now got to go back through this type of weather. It's absolutely diabolical.

"I understand why there is such a hectic schedule this season but it is unfair to be asked to play games like this during the festive period. We should be playing local matches at this time of year."

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Last night, NUFC issued the following statement on ther official website:

Newcastle United v Charlton Athletic 28 December 2005

Match Postponement

Due to the following factors the decision was made to postpone the game:

1) Although we had had some snow showers earlier in the day, prior to approximately 4.30pm the pitch and stadium surrounds were reasonably clear of snow and ice.

2) Unfortunately at approx 4.30 p.m. we had a heavy snow shower lasting approximately 1 hour which deposited a large amount of snow on the pitch and the outer and inner concourses.

3) The referee Mike Dean inspected the pitch at approximately 5.45p.m. and was satisfied that if the pitch was cleared and in good condition the match could go ahead.However it was appreciated at this time that if more snow fell, further discussions between the Club Safety Officer, the Police and Match Officials would take place.

4) A further meeting was held with the referee at 6.00p.m. and at that time the pitch clearance by ground staff and stewards had progressed well and work to clear snow on the outer concourses had commenced.

5) The Met Office was contacted who warned of a risk of further heavy snow fall and later in the evening temperatures of minus 5 degrees centigrade were anticipated.

6) At approximately 7pm it started to snow again which meant that fresh snow was deposited on already difficult surface conditions around the stadium.

7) Shortly after the Safety Officer, in discussion with the Police and Referee, decided that it was in the interests ofpublic safety for the match not to proceed.

8) The safety of spectators and players is extremely important bearing in mind the overall duty of care under health and safety legislation and the ground Safety Certificate.

9) It was unfortunate that the match had to be called off however this decision was not taken lightly and it was done with the best intentions of all concerned.

www.nufc.co.uk