Former Ipswich Town defender Steven Taylor played a true sweeper role on Tuesday night as he helped ensure Peterborough’s game with Walsall reached a conclusion despite heavy snow.
As snow continued to fall during the League One clash at London Road, the pitch became unplayable forcing referee Lee Swabey to call a halt to proceedings with Posh 2-1 ahead in the closing stages of the second half.
With the hosts desperate to hold onto their lead and see the game through to a conclusion, Taylor, released by Ipswich in the summer, took matters into his own hands and helped lead the effort to help clear the lines on the pitch to ensure it was playable.
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The defender grabbed a brush and, with the help of the club’s grounds staff, sprinted back onto the pitch to clear the lines meaning the game was able to be completed in -3°c conditions.
Speaking after the game, Posh caretaker manager Gary Oldfield thanked everyone for their support in getting the game back on.
“When the referee stopped play, he told us that we had five minutes to clear the lines of snow. Everybody leaped into action from office staff to stewards and from ground staff to players. It showed the togetherness this football club has.”
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Taylor, who made just three Ipswich appearances during his time at Portman Road due to injury problems, has played 40 games for Peterborough this season and has helped Posh remain in the hunt for a play-off place in the third tier.
The defender remained with the Ipswich squad for their pre-season trip to Ireland, before manager Mick McCarthy opted not to offer the former Newcastle man a new deal.
“We have brought in Jordan Spence and Dominic Iorfa in recent weeks to add to what we already have at the back,” McCarthy said in July.
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“Both Jordan and Dominic are very versatile players that can cover full-back and centre-back positions and we have good competition for places at the back now so we won’t be doing anything with Tayls.
“He’s a great pro and he will do a good job for someone. We wish him well.”
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