Championship fixtures POSTPONED by weather chaos including Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth with 90mph Storm Darragh set to hit
TWO Championship fixtures have been postponed as Storm Darragh is set to batter Wales and the South West with winds up to 90mph.
Wayne Rooney’s struggling Plymouth will not face Oxford United tomorrow while Cardiff vs Watford has also been called off.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) had earlier announced that ALL matches scheduled in Wales would be postponed with flooding and travel chaos expected.
Cardiff have now confirmed they will not face the Hornets “in the interest of supporter safety” after receiving advice from the Met Office.
Plymouth’s home clash had already been axed earlier in the day, with under-fire Rooney handed a reprieve following a dismal run.
The Man Utd legend was reported to have two games left to save himself from the sack, although this was refuted by the Pilgrims’ chairman.
It came after a week in which his side got thrashed 6-1 by Norwich and then 4-0 by Bristol City, leaving them just outside the relegation zone.
Storm Darragh is sweeping across the Atlantic with the Met Office issuing a rare red ‘danger to life’ warning across parts of Wales, Bristol and north Somerset.
The FAW said in a statement: “The Met Office has issued red, amber, and yellow weather warnings for the vast majority of Wales due to Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain, causing significant disruption and danger to life.
“It is not safe to drive in such weather, including travelling to and from football matches. Being outside in high winds increases the risk of injury and The Met Office advises people to stay indoors if possible.
“Clubs have been advised to check for and secure any loose items around their grounds if it can be done safely. This includes bins, furniture, goalposts, and fences etc.
“Potential postponements of fixtures on Friday 6 December and Sunday 8 December will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with each individual league’s policy.”
Other games in the area that could be hit by the weather include Bristol Rovers vs Bolton in League One, and Yeovil Town’s FA Trophy clash with Weymouth.
Meanwhile Haverfordwest County announced their Welsh Premier League clash with Briton Ferry tonight was also postponed.
Red warnings are extremely rare, with today’s announcement just the 19th such warning since records begin in 2011.
The alert, issued on the Met Office website, warns of danger to life due to flying debris and falling trees.
Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down, are also expected – with power cuts potentially affecting other services including mobile coverage.
Brits are urged to avoid travelling and stay indoors if possible.
There is a 39-hour yellow wind warning for the whole of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and much of Scotland, until 6am on Sunday.