It’s all hands to the pumps ... errrm, shovels and wheelbarrows ... on Friday morning as we ask for your help to clear the stadium, approaches and pitch of snow ahead of Saturday’s visit of Grimsby Town [kick off 3pm].
With a healthy six to eight inches of the white stuff covering the playing surface it means that the pitch itself has been well insulated against the colder temperatures, but we now need the snow cleared ahead of the weekend’s big game.
Can you help?
If you’re free for a bit of snow clearing activity on Friday morning [2 March] please come along to Brunton Park – we’ll meet you in the car park adjacent to the groundsman’s compound [east side of the stadium] at 10am.
Please bring a snow shovel and/or a sturdy brush and, if you have one available, a wheelbarrow to assist us with this meaty challenge.
Media officer Andy Hall said: “As you expect with our ground staff, they started planning and preparing for this weather event last week.
“Covers were placed on the more vulnerable areas as early as last Friday and the pitch was fully covered through Sunday afternoon. The GeoFleece has been positioned at the Warwick Road End and the snow has also done a fairly good job of providing a bit of natural insulation as well.
“We’re now at the point where we need to be clearing the stadium footprint so that, in the interests of safety, we put ourselves in the best possible position to make sure this game can go ahead.
“When we’ve asked for volunteers to help in the past the response has been fantastic. We expect it to be the same again this time round.
“We would ask those who do come along to bring snow clearing equipment – shovels, wheelbarrows, and things like that – if they have it, because that will allow us to get the job done much quicker.
"We're also delighted to confirm that the £10 entry price for over-18s has been extended to include match day on Saturday as a thank you to everybody for their help and patience this week."
Fans who come along to help to clear the snow will receive a free match ticket and refreshments at regular intervals as they help us with the work to be done.
Please only travel to help us if it is safe to do so – check local road conditions and follow the advice of the Cumbria Constabulary at all times. Stay safe!
Please dress appropriately for the current cold weather conditions.
Please note – due to the nature of the work to be done all of our volunteers MUST be over the age of 16.
Friday 2 March – 10am – meet at the groundsman’s compound – bring snow clearing equipment and a big snow day smile!
To give us an idea of the size of our Blue Army workforce, please email media@carlisleunited.co.uk to confirm that you will be coming along to lend a hand on Friday morning – or let us know with a reply to this advert on social media.
Thank you all in advance!