Charlton’s Sky Bet League One visit to Crawley on New Year’s Day was postponed close to kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Crawley said at 2.15pm that the referee was taking another look at the condition of the pitch with rain falling heavily in West Sussex.

Both clubs announced on social media at 2.40pm that the sell-out fixture had been called off.

“Unfortunately, this afternoon’s match against Charlton has been postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch at the Broadfield Stadium,” Crawley said on their X account.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will be back in touch with more communication regarding tickets in due course.”

Addicks manager Nathan Jones told CharltonTV: “We’re disappointed, we would like to have played it for every reason.

“One end of the pitch was good and it surprised us it was off. The referee made the decision the bottom end of the pitch wasn’t playable.

“To be fair to the referee he gave it every opportunity and said it was only going to get worse. He said if he couldn’t finish it he was very reluctant to start it.”

The League One clash between Wigan and Huddersfield was also postponed earlier on Wednesday due to flooding in the area.

Despite the pitch at the Brick Community Stadium being playable, the game fixture was called off less than four hours before the scheduled 3pm kick-off due to safety concerns around the ground.

“Our New Year’s Day clash against Huddersfield Town has been postponed due to severe localised flooding,” Wigan said in a statement on the club website.

“Heavy rainfall over Tuesday night has made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the Brick Community Stadium was deemed playable.

“However, safety concerns regarding the public areas surrounding the ground and the strain on local emergency services dealing with a number of major incidents, which have been affected by severe flooding, led to the league fixture being called off.

“Access to the area is severely restricted with many access routes closed due to flooding, and the emergency services are unable to provide resources to support the matchday operation.”

“The news is naturally disappointing as Shaun Maloney and his players were looking forward to the highly-anticipated New Year’s Day fixture, but the safety of both sets of supporters is of paramount importance.”

The wet weather in northern England also forced the postponement of the Vanarama National League games between Rochdale and Altrincham, and Halifax against Fylde.

Wealdstone’s home game with Boston also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch.

“Today’s Vanarama National League game at home against @bostonunited has been postponed due to a failed pitch inspection after heavy rain through the night and this morning,” Wealdstone posted on their X account.

Horse racing was due to go ahead at Cheltenham and Exeter after both tracks passed morning inspections, with high winds expected in south-west England.