Cod Almighty | Diary

We Are Family

26 February 2025

My drive to Grimsby on match days usually involves listening to a radio station that talks a lot about sport. This week was no exception; however, it had the bonus of a guest appearance from a familiar face (or should that be voice) to the Mariners: Debbie Cook.

Debbie spoke passionately about the EFL Community Weekends campaign and the profound role football clubs play in their communities, including a particular tribute to GTFC. Hearing Debbie made me reflect on the pivotal role Grimsby Town in the community played in my own journey as a Mariner, and the continuing significance it plays in the identity of the club.

My first Grimsby Town experience was at BP in October 1990. My primary school was offered free tickets by the club. From vague recollection there wasn't enough for everyone, and I got lucky in a selection process. In front of a crowd of almost 11,000, goals from Tommy Watson and Gary Childs secured a 2-0 win in a match marred with terrible crowd trouble. From that day my blood ran black and white.
One could call this a 'sliding doors' moment in life – a twist of fate that forever shaped my connection to the club. Had my school not received those tickets, I may never have attended that match, or any match thereafter, and I'm certain many fellow fans have similar stories of the igniting of their lifelong passion.

Grimsby Town community engagement has long been visible in the town, but under the club's new ownership, it feels more deeply embedded and more inclusive. The ethos of inclusivity and outreach is reinforced by the incredible work of both the Mariners Trust and the Grimsby Town Foundation, ensuring that the club remains accessible to all. Recent initiatives, such as the junior press conference, half-term camps (including those tailored for SEND children), and the distribution of complimentary tickets to young people, social workers, and foster carers, all demonstrate a commitment that extends beyond the pitch.

However, it runs deeper still. At the recent evening with David Artell and his team, he shared how every match preparation begins with a reaffirmation of the club values, including demonstrating pride and respect for the club, the town and its people. We probably all chuckled at the photos from a few months ago when the players went to the Grimsby fish market; this was about more than just a photo opportunity but a way of grounding them in the community that they are now part of. That sense of belonging is becoming increasingly evident within the squad, with no better evidence than Doug Tharme's post-match interview after the Doncaster game, which left many of us with something in our eyes.

The club seems more anchored at the heart of the town and its community than it has in a long time. Football possesses a rare ability to unite individuals across generations and backgrounds, forging bonds that transcend everyday life, and Grimsby Town is no exception. The highs and lows over recent years resemble a Himalayan Mountain range, but together we share in the triumphs and find solace in the setbacks. Perhaps that is what makes being a Mariner so special; the knowledge that, not matter where we are, we belong to something greater than ourselves.

As we head to Cheltenham in pursuit of a sixth game unbeaten and fifth consecutive victory, the tantalising prospect of the playoffs looms closer. There's a shared sense of positivity in the air and with it the growing belief that perhaps - just perhaps - we can. I remain measured in my expectations, but one thing is certain: together we'll get behind the team to give it a good go.