Full details from last night were as follows:
7:45 match postponed and Norman Posner (match Secretary of Purfleet) made the announcement that no refunds would be made but all spectators would gain free admission on Thursday. This was met with cries of disapproval and, after many complaints, the Essex F.A. paid 341 people out of the 553 attendance their money back. The other 222 spectators should now write to the Essex F.A. and ask for a return of their money. The whole thing turned into a fiasco with the Essex F.A. and Purfleet not knowing what to do.
At Dagenham we have a contingency plan where in the event of an abandoned or postponed match where spectators are in the ground, tickets stating postponed match are to be issued upon departure from the ground. The FA state that money CANNOT be refunded at a turnstile but if someone produces a ticket AFTER the date of the replayed match they can have a full refund. So the ticket issued by us would allow those who cannot make the replayed game the chance of a full refund.
The Essex FA now find themselves with the problem of how to pay the expenses for the two teams when virtually no gate money is to be received. No programmes will be on sale on Thursday as they sold out last night and printer Len Llewellyn (who wanted to issue a four page update programme for 30p) was told not to have another print run.
Purfleet say they will just leave the big exit gates open on Thursday so that no gatemen have to take abuse The decision to play on Thursday was not agreed by either club and we will be missing John Stimson and Dean Parratt who both have work commitments, Purfleet will be missing Robbie Garvey likewise. Ted Hardy and Colin McBride of Purfleet both insist in taking the matter up with the full FA. If the game is postponed on Thursday (which may be likely with the weather forecast) the game will take place next season.
The point is that if you like me were one of the 222 people who did not get a refund last night then write to the Essex FA and ask for a refund of you money.
I have no address as yet but will endeavour to have on the site within the next few days.