1. "Who were the last five Grimsby-born players to play for the Mariners?"
2. "How many former Town players are currently playing in a higher division than the Mariners?"
3. "Who has scored the most goals for Grimsby Town in the 21st century?"
4. "Who were the last ten players to appear in goal for the Mariners?"
5. A daft name game
6. Discipline
7. Two defenders, scoring, same game
8. Ex-players coming back to haunt us
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14 February 2005
The question
The first in a new series here. What's it gonna be? A sort of readers' question of the week, related somehow to the Mariners. I shall select a topic, you all send me what you think. There'll be no clear-cut yes or no answers though. Over the following week I'll publish your responses.
First up? The introduction of Danny North as a second-half sub against Bristol Rovers got me thinking. Without resorting to the history books (unless you really have to, but that would defeat the point somewhat), before Danny North, who was the last Grimsby-born player to play for Grimsby Town FC? Oh, think that is too straightforward, a bit easy? How about who were the last five Grimsby-born players to play for the Mariners?
The answers
I wanted answers, and some answers I got! Not the easiest question, considering Town have recently enjoyed the presence of Hockless of Hull, Macca of Middlesbrough, and erm, Darren of Doncaster or Boston-born Butterfield, and a scarcity of other products of the youth system. For 'enjoyed', substitute 'endured' as appropriate.
BaWB must be credited with the first response, sent so shortly after the question appeared. Unfortunately he may be credited with little else, with Darren Wrack and John Cockerill being his guesses.
The next entry was a vast improvement, Pat Bell thinking aloud. "Was the last Jonny Rowan? No, thinking about it, it would be David Soames." They were going to be my first two guesses, so I began to think this was too easy. Pat then went for keepers Steve Croudson and Andy Love, before getting stuck for a fifth guess, and eerily plumping for Messrs Cockerill and Wrack. I wonder if Mr BaWB works with Mr Bell. No conferring permitted, gentlemen!
Michael Shelton went for Soames, Iain Ward and Rowan as his definites, then Kirk Wheeler - who was recently released without making his debut, I think - and Wes Parker, who Michael was "less sure about". A bit like the Town backroom staff who released him; he always looked half-decent to me.
Steven Young is next up. An apt name for this quiz. Indeed, a decent effort too. Soames, Ward, Rowan and Croudson, then Wes Parker. Skegness-born Wes was. Released and sank from trace. Poor Wes, where is he now? Steven got it spot on: "None of them have exactly set the world on fire have they?" No more are likely to in the near future if Slade keeps on with his reluctance to use substitutes even when trailing at home to one of the worst sides in Britain...
According to my 'research' the answers are: Soames, Rowan, Ward, Croudson and Matt Bloomer. My fifth guess was Ben Chapman, who was apparently born in Scunthorpe. Andy Love may well be number 6 in the list.
Soames has taken on Stuart Campbell's invisibility cloak this season leaving Bloomer, a Lincoln regular, as the only one of the fabulous five who is currently playing League football. He's doing OK by all accounts. Great, is it not, that our most successful recent homegrown product ends up with one of our rivals?
For what it is worth, the scores on the door:
BaWB ½ point (for being first)
Pat 3½ points (½ point for Andy Love - not a bad guess)
Steven 4 points
Michael 3 points
Meaning that Steven is the 'winner'. Mucho kudos to you, young man, ha ha. See what I did there?
Another question on Wednesday.
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