Referee Graham Barber carried out an early pitch inspection at QPR’s ground - which Fulham are sharing while a decision is made on the revamp of their Craven Cottage home – and decided the surface was not in a playable condition.

A statement on Fulham’s website, www.fulhamfc.co.uk read: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“The date and ticket information for the rescheduled fixture will be made available as soon as possible.”

Sheffield United, third in Division One, had their home game against Burnley called off at 11.30 after official Alan Butler deemed the pitch unplayable after his inspection.

Butler said: “Following a request under the early warning rule, I made a scheduled visit to the ground and it soon became evident that the widespread standing water on the pitch would make play dangerous.

“Due to inclement weather in Sheffield, the pitch was not being given the chance to drain properly, whilst forecasts for the remainder of the day were not encouraging.

“Hopefully the early postponement will minimise the inconvenience to players, officials and supporters of both clubs, who will have time to make other arrangements.”

United’s head groundsman Glenn Nortcliffe added: “We have worked hard but unsuccessfully since early this morning to try and make the pitch playable.

“The forecast for the rest of day is not good and if the rain persists later this week, the FA Cup fixture with Cheltenham could be a doubt.”

United’s Bramall Lane clash with Reading in November was also postponed due to a waterlogged pitch – neither game has yet been re-arranged.

Brighton were also forced to call off their Division One clash with Wimbledon this morning, Grimsby’s game against Bradford was also hit by the weather, while Gillingham’s match at the Priestfield Stadium against promotion candidates Norwich City was postponed yesterday afternoon after attempts to ensure it went ahead came to nothing.

The postponement was the second to hit the Gills in the space of five days after last Saturday’s scheduled match against Wimbledon also fell victim to the weather.

The Division Two fixture between Brentford and Colchester was called off this morning while in Division Three fourth-placed Bournemouth’s home game against Swansea, Darlington at home to Rochdale, Southend v Oxford, Exeter v Kidderminster and Leyton Orient v Cambridge United were also postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

Race meetings at Catterick, Exeter and Plumpton were all cancelled as a result of the heavy rain.