THE sporting weekend has fallen victim to the snow and sub-zero temperatures disrupting Britain – and there are already concerns midweek fixtures could follow suit.

At all levels, the sporting calendar has been decimated by the cold snap, which has taken its toll across the country.

Yesterday morning Middlesbrough announced the decision had been taken to postpone this afternoon’s Championship match with Swansea City at the Riverside Stadium.

Then, after much deliberation, Sunderland cancelled their pre-match briefing with manager Steve Bruce before calling off their Premier League encounter with Bolton at the Stadium of Light after consultations with the city’s Safety Advisory Group.

Bruce said: “Obviously we’re disappointed that the game has been called off.

We’ve prepared the team as normal and tried to stick to a schedule all week, despite the ice and snow, so it’s a frustration for everyone, that’s for sure.

“But when it comes to a question of safety then football certainly has to come second, there’s no doubt about that.

“The sensible decision has been taken, with the welfare of everyone in mind.

“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to get the game on but I don’t think many of us have seen weather quite like this for a long time.”

It was also the safety of supporters which led to Boro postponing their game.

A statement issued by Middlesbrough read: “With the 24-hour forecast indicating further snow falls and freezing overnight temperatures, all parties agreed that the game should be postponed.”

Those postponements followed Thursday’s confirmation that Newcastle United’s trip to Reading, Hartlepool’s trek to London to face Charlton in League One and Darlington’s visit to Bury in League Two are also off.

With more freezing conditions forecast, Newcastle’s FA Cup replay with Plymouth on Wednesday is already under threat.

Magpies boss Chris Hughton, due to hold his Plymouth press conference at 2pm on Monday, is frustrated.

He said: “We just want to play football. But I am glad the decision to cancel the Reading game was taken early.

“It prevents our fans from travelling down.

“I’m relieved we found out on Thursday. We now focus on the FA Cup replay with Plymouth.”

In addition to safety issues for the players, the weather has caused travel trouble with roads closing and a widespread disruption of public transport, meaning supporters’ safety was at risk.

The non-league football programme has been completely disrupted.

Gateshead’s FA Trophy second round tie with Chippenham Town at the International Stadium has been frozen out and Tuesday’s rearrangement also looks unlikely to go ahead.

There is also unlikely to be any action in the skilltrainingltd Northern League, with all 21 fixtures having to be rearranged.

At least there will be one sporting event taking place over the next two days, with the indoor centre at Gateshead’s International Stadium playing host to the North-East Indoor Track and Field Championships.

But there will be no horse racing over the weekend, with Sedgefield having to abandon today’s meeting.

They have already had to wipe out two other days of racing in the last few weeks.

Newcastle racecourse’s planned meeting on Tuesday is also under grave threat from the weather, but any tickets purchased can be transferred to another day’s racing later this year.

Newcastle Falcons’ Guinness Premiership match with Gloucester tomorrow will also have to be rearranged.

The decision was made by Premier Rugby, who also postponed the Sale Sharks and Saracens fixture.