Southampton V Preston North End Postponed

Saints have announced that this evening's fixture against Preston has been called off due to the fire next to St Mary's Stadium.

Southampton FC have announced that due to a fire next to the stadium that this evening's game against Preston has now been called off.

They have issued the following statement.

"The decision (to postpone) was made after consultation with the local authorities and emergency services after a major fire broke out in a building next to the St Mary’s Stadium site earlier today.

The incident has caused significant disruption in the area with road closures around the stadium still in place as fire crews continue to deal with the situation.

We are grateful for the cooperation of Preston and the EFL, and while we appreciate the disappointment fans may feel, we hope they will understand the need to put the safety of supporters and staff of both clubs first.

The game will be postponed to a new date, which will be announced in due course, and all tickets for tonight’s match will be valid for the rearranged fixture."

The blaze which started around 2pm this afternoon in a warehouse just yards from the Chapel End by the fan zone has seen 18 fire engines and 100 firemen attend the scene and the smoke has billowed across the City and towards the West districts of Millbrook & Totton.

From a Saints perspective, with Fraser Richardson injured and doubts about Kyle Walker Peters who missed Saturday's trip to Birmingham City, this could well be an a blessing in disguise, as both could be fit for the rearranged game.

When that will be is anyone's guess, neither club have a midweek fixture next week and it could well be played as soon as then, one date it won't be is the weekend of Sunday 16th March, that is a spare weekend for Saints as the fixture due against Leicester City is postponed due to their participation in the FA Cup, Preston though travel to Plymouth on the Saturday.

So if it is not next week and with an International break in the week following the weekend of the 16th, it will be the week commencing 17th April, before the fixture can be fitted into the schedule.

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