The latest Storm Darragh news and updates with Everton vs Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby postponed.
Sport
Comment
A general view of Goodison Park.
Goodison Park will not be hosting the Merseyside Derby after Storm Darragh made its mark.
(Image: (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) )
The Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool will no longer be going ahead this lunchtime due to Storm Darragh. Earlier this week, the MET Office issued a severe weather warning for parts of the UK, starting in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Western parts of England and Wales, along with Northern Ireland, are expected to be hit the hardest with wind speeds possibly reaching up to 80mph. Numerous events over the weekend have already been cancelled with Aintree racecourse releasing a statement announcing today's Boylesports Becher Chase Day has been abandoned.
Certain football clubs, in the most affected areas, have already confirmed their Saturday afternoon games will not go ahead due to those weather warnings. Plymouth Argyle vs Oxford United, Cardiff City vs Watford and Newport County vs Carlisle United are three EFL games to have been postponed thus far.
READ MORE: Storm Darragh live - List of football fixtures postponement as Everton vs Liverpool OFFREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold makes 'mind-blowing' Arne Slot claim amid Liverpool contract talks
Some non-league games in the Liverpool area have also been called off with Charnock Richard vs Burscough and AFC Liverpool vs Cheadle Town no longer going ahead. And now it's been confirmed the 245th Merseyside Derby has joined the postponement list due to adverse weather conditions.
On Saturday morning, an official statement from Everton read: "Everton's Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for 12.30pm (GMT) today, Saturday 7 December, has been postponed. Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council this morning, it was decided that, due to the risk to safety in the local area due to strong wind gusts, and an amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today's fixture should be postponed on safety grounds.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. While we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff, and players is of paramount importance.
"Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course. All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture." The previous day, a joint-statement was released by the two clubs warning supporters to take extra care.
"Supporters attending Saturday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park are advised to allow extra time for travel and remain alert to MET Office weather warnings," the joint-statement began. "An amber severe wind warning has been issued by the MET Office for Merseyside from 1am GMT on Saturday, with wind gusts of 60mph to 70mph likely."
The warning for wind is expected to remain in place until 6am on Sunday. Given that, fans were advised to allow extra time for their journey and take extra care.
"Supporters are also advised to keep a close eye on travel and weather guidance in their area to assist with travel planning for the Premier League fixture (12.30pm kick-off)." With the Premier League clash now called off, however, supporters will have to find something else to do over lunchtime.
The gusts are expected to last until at least 9pm on Saturday evening as the storm moves from west to east, with it being predicted the afternoon will see the strongest winds thought to be as high as 70mph in Liverpool and the surrounding areas. Train delays were confirmed, as Merseyrail tweeted: "Due to debris on the track, services on the Ormskirk & Hunts Cross are suspended between Hunts Cross and Liverpool Central.
"We have a limited rail replacement bus service in operation so waits for the buses will be longer than usual." And just prior to confirmation of the showdown between Everton and Liverpool being postponed, it was reported that 22,000 homes in Wales are without power.