When rain ruins football

I had my fair share of problems in the first few seasons. Seems like WSW play more of their games at night time now which has made it less of an issue, but if its an afternoon game then i need to take sunglasses just to have a chance of watching anything

Modern, professional sports ground adapt to the wet a lot better. It will still be slick but you wont have pools of water around the pitch. This is why the cliche has probably diminished.

I can only think of one or two games where I've had issues with the sun in the eastern stand. It's really only an issue when we're playing just before sunset and even then it's only a pain for 15-20mins.

Playing in the rain is marvelous Sitting or standing in the rain watching a game is not, unless the game is important for your team

The lower tier has zero protection from the rain and the whole Eastern stand has zero protection from the sun. Hopefully the increase of popularity with our league will in turn create pressure for the public stadium's to be 'upgraded'

In the 80s or even 90s everytime we were playing an english club I remember our commentators, coaches, players and fans arguing that it was going to be a tough task to play teams who are used to this type of conditions etc. Funnily enough I no longer come across this type of clichés. Dunno if the continentals have realised it was a silly excuse or if football has changed? Perso I didnt mind the rain (as a player) but hated the cold. As a fan, doesnt like either.

"If the product on sale is good enough people will brave anything to consume it. " perfectly sums it up. I have no issue watching my team in the rain, however if i know it is going to be a poor game quality wise or there is nothing on the line..well... i would rather watch it in the warmth of my living room.

Wish I could remember the details but I remember reading about a team - I think it might have been a Cruyff era dutch team? - using puddles to great effect without having it effect their passing game.

I remember watching a Tyne-Wear Derby some years ago (on TV, I wasn't at the game) where torrential rain turned the St James' Park pitch into a quagmire, reducing Kevin Keegan's talented squad to the same level of mediocrity as Terry Butcher's flat-footed Sunderland team. Newcastle won the game, more through luck than judgement, and afterwards, when everyone concerned was wondering how the match had been allowed to go ahead, it was announced that the ref had suggested abandoning the match, but was told by both clubs that this match was too big to postpone (it really wasn't). There was also a fantastic waterlogged match involving Chelsea, where blues striker Robert Rosario (who Chelsea fans once considered to be a big money signing) took a low shot at goal, and upon seeing the ball pass the keeper's hands wheeled away to celebrate. While doing this he failed to notice the ball hit an enormous puddle in the goal mouth and stop dead, inches in front of the line, from where the keeper safely collected it. Poor Rosario, whose career at Stamford Bridge was a bit of a non-event, had to be called back onto the pitch by his teammates, and told to end his celebrations (in front of some very unimpressed supporters) and resume playing.

Picture perfect autumn day in Melbourne - cloudless blue sky, a whisper of breeze. Victory must have a home game tonight. I don't recall even 1 drop of rain during Victory matches over the past 2 ALeague seasons, whist Sydney and Brisbane have deluges during the summer.

hahah good reply Ciu

My timeline: Born 82 0-7 - Lived in Perth 7-10 - Lived in Melbourne 10-27 - Perth 27-Now - Melbourne

It rains in Adelaide? Things have changed.

When I was 5 I was hit 3 times by lightning after my dad walked me through a blizzard to watch the reserves get done. It was 7-0 at halftime. Can I go to the hospital dad, said I. No son, came the reply. We're still in this one.

Shakes fist

Watching AFL in 10 degrees at age 7 in Perth? What year did we have the major and unusual climatic condition?

"The pies always tasted better should you master the art of covering them before taking every bite and my uncle always said the beer lasted longer, even if it was extremely watered down by the end." great line.

I remember as a kid playing in the rain, some of my most memorable games were in wet conditons. The waterlogged pitch, the ball which started to become as hard as a rock, and the slide tackles or skidding shots which used to bring out the unexpected :)

I sit up in the stands at Parra Stadium nibbling on my prawn sandwiches whilst watching the common folk below get drenched.

You all need to toughen up a bit. I can remember being 7 years of age and my old man taking me to the footy in 10 degrees, pouring rain, throwing a poncho on me and us standing there for three hours watching the game.. The pies always tasted better should you master the art of covering them before taking every bite and my uncle always said the beer lasted longer, even if it was extremely watered down by the end.