Cod Almighty | Diary

The moment a million chances may all collide

8 December 2017

Wicklow Diary here with the intention of a diary that's shorter and snappier than a full back's hamstring after a Siriki Dembele drag back.

'Former Manchester United junior joins York City on loan' is how the York Press greets the news that Sean McAllister has departed Blundell Park on loan. Considering he only played *consults Wikipedia* three games for us, it might not be that harsh to overlook his time here. I'm not going to blame him for being crocked though, it must be a nightmare for any pro to be out for as long as he has. Good luck Sean. Hopefully we haven't seen the last of you at Town. 

The trusty CA contract tracker is having difficulty keeping up, it wasn't designed for all this churning and loaning. That's seven players out of 31 that we've farmed out. It would be poor etiquette but not altogether beyond Town to loan out a player that we have loaned in, so the figure is actually seven out of 29. Nearly 25 per cent; another 60 or 70 and we'll be halfway to Chelsea. I don't imagine this is a plot for world domination like Chelski, more that Russ can't shift the inherited players he doesn't rate. Picky isn't he? Can't be cheap either, I can't see all these non-league clubs shelling out league wages. Good thing we're minted then.

Tomorrow, minted and minty Forest Green Rovers are the visitors to Blundell Park. Mmmm Wembley isn't it? Nathan Arnold, skipping around the goalie, bum slide near the corner flag? Marvellous. That was a sunny day in May, tomorrow will be cold day in December but we don't need an excuse to go back and bask in that glorious occasion.

Like us, they've changed personnel a bit since then. The man to watch is the Pro Evolution Chris Doig. Christian Doidge has been banging them and he's partnered up front by the Pro Evo Omar Bogle. They'll be without their Pro Evo Dale Banton, Dale Bennett though. He is suspended after picking up a retrospective red card last weekend in some competiton that Town weren't invited to call the 'FA Cup Second Round'.

They've announced the TV fixtures for the subsequent round of this alien event and there's some decent ex-GTFC interest. Newport and Podge have got Leeds at home whilst Shrewsbury's fine season continues with a visit from West Ham. The other news was Man Utd's scandalous run of 58 televised FA Cup matches in a row dating back to 2004 has finally come to an end.

I was planning to be at the game tomorrow but can't make it. If you are going, remember to help the GTFC For The Many food bank collection if you can. There's also an option to contribute online for exiles who can't get along. You'll be entered into a raffle for a 2017 signed shirt, which may even include the signatures of some players still actually at the club.

Elsewhere on the site, keep up with adventures of Tommy of the Town, episode 2.5 is my favourite so far, and there's a new article by Mariners Trust chairman Paul Savage on his start in the role and the organisation's plans. We also received a clarification from Deviant Diary that clears up the week's most important topic, the colour of the Ford Capri in The Professionals. Over to you Deviant:

Ah-ha, well, The (Un) Professionals ran from 77-83, when the fashionable colours for the bonnet leapers among us were bright green and orange. But the real reason why orange was chosen was so that the casually-attired reader would frown and ask "what about the orange?". A Fenty-related multi-layered reference.

On that note, I leave you with a hearty Up the Mariners, have a great weekend.