Scottish Premiership leaders Hamilton Accies host Aberdeen tonight at New Douglas Park, live on BT Sport at 7.45pm.
Everything is in place to make sure it is a case of 'Lights, Camera, Action' but on a cold day on January 3, 2009 only some quick thinking avoided an afternoon of inaction.
The Dons travelled to Hamilton on the back of a four-game winning run but they returned north after a 2-0 defeat on a pitch that was narrowed to allow the game to be played.
At the heart of the action before kick-off was then Accies Club Secretary Scott Struthers, who recently ended a 30-year working relationship with the Lanarkshire club.
He said: "That game against Aberdeen was almost not played. We had a grass pitch back then and there was a minor blockage in the undersoil heating which left a yard-wide strip unsuitable to play on.
"The strip ran down the surface almost adjacent to the main stand - it was solid and the game was in doubt. In fact, at 1.15pm the referee was of a mind to call it off as there was no way of softening it up.
"I spoke to George Douglas, who was the SPL Delegate, and discussed the option of bringing the pitch in by two yards. This would have to be done on both sides so the playing surface was no longer going to 75 yards wide but 71, which still easily exceeded the minimum required.
"George agreed that it was do-able and we immediately contacted the SPL as the desire was there to get the game played, especially as fans would shortly be arriving.
"We got their permission, as well as that of the referee and Aberdeen. The game went ahead with new white lines painted and everyone at Hamilton was delighted as we won 2-0. It was a very unusual situation but we got through it."
Looking ahead to the Friday night fixture, Struthers said: “Facing Aberdeen as leaders of the top division is an unusual occurrence and one that has not happened for the best part of 70 to 80 years.
“The run the club is on is terrific and is not just getting attention in Scotland but overseas as well. Hamilton's 1-0 success over Celtic was the lead story on FIFA.com and that is a great accolade.
“Being top is not undeserved as Alex Neil's side is playing with a lot of confidence. The players have a ruthless, hardworking approach to their play just now and long may it continue."
Despite leaving Accies, Struthers has not been lost to football, as he explained: "I am pursuing other footballing opportunities at the moment and I was working with UEFA this week in an U19 tournament in Macedonia. Next week I will be working at a Champions League game.
"However, I will be at Hamilton v Aberdeen on Friday. I am looking forward to a different view from the Main Stand as opposed to the tunnel - it would be great if Alex's team can keep their run going.”
Craig Stewart
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