Cod Almighty | Postbag
Postbag: The next generation
1 September 2004
It's been here ages, I don't know what you're all talking about. Maybe you just didn't look properly.Email postbag@codalmighty.com with your woe and worries
To errol is human
In response to Pat Bell's article: Paul Groves and Marcel Cas. The initial bravado at the start of the season, drifting into the bitter return of Cas to his homeland is best summed up by Hot Chocolate: "I thought that life was always good, I thought you always would be mine / It started with a kiss, I never thought it would come to this / I remember every little thing, like fighting in the playground."
from Dave Chambers
Hey Bert
I just googled "Ernie Teale" to see if I could point Les Rawson in the right direction with some 'helpful' information and to my surprise the search returned only one link - to our own little website. To the letters page to be exact, dated 21 October 2003. I wonder where he's been these past ten months.
from Andy Holt
Last seen pointing
I remember when the matchday programme introduced Tommy Widdrington as "last seen setting the Premiership alight with Southampton". What can you do, say or think: what's he doing here then if that was the last sighting? Perhaps it was 1946 and he was captured by a Foo Fighter and beamed back down after 50 years in experimental stasis but to the wrong port; wonder what medication the matchday programme author was on; wonder if he had any left. Although perhaps I don't need any - freezing in the Upper Stones from a 'bracing breeze' direct from Norway, watching a mindless 0-0 whilst watching the shipping in the Humber and pretending "this it's what it's all about". Are we having fun yet? It's years ago now but it still bothers me. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Setting the Premiership alight. Arse!
from Sean Carr
Mariners TV
Back in the days of black and white telly when the original How! was on the air, one of the presenters was called Bunty. We always referred to her as Nunty Bunty, no doubt because of her rather dowdy appearance. Does anyone else out there remember Nunty Bunty?
Also, have you forgotten 'Batho', the old lamented open air bathing pool? Pronounced 'baytho', not 'batho', by the way.
from Pauline Wainwright
Showbaiting
In the match report for the Bury game Mr Sunday Editor changed a word. I admit it was originally a typo, but I liked it so much I bought the company. What am I talking about? "Showbaiting". It rather summmed up Town's arrogance more than "showboating".
from Tony Butcher
Red or dread
Played two, drawn one, won one. Undefeated in red stockings. Long may it continue in such style. Good work CAMRED!
from Dave Chambers
Letters Ed responds: Errr... anyone know what kit we played in at Wycombe?
We're gonna win the cup one day
My dad has been a lifelong supporter and my earliest memories concern Blundell Park. What can I say? I'm scarred for life. We now reside in Tenerife and are surrounded by Man U supporters. We love red socks; not only are they stylish, but are a strong and positive colour - they will put us back where we belong. Not quite sure where that is at the moment...
If red socks come back, there is definitely a holiday in Tenerife for some far-sighted member on the board of GTFC. Up the Mariners.
P.S. My inheritance is an old 45 of the Grimsby Town supporters' song. Anybody else ever even heard of it? It really DOES exist.
from Samantha Dorricott
Letters Ed responds: Is it the song that goes: "Up the Mariners, we're gonna win the cup one day"? I've wanted a copy of that for ages
Obscure elastoplast product
Who or what is "All Girl Summer Fun Band"? Apart from that keep up the good work.
from Mike Dellan
Letters Ed responds: It's a female only, warm-weather, brightly-coloured elastoplast sold only in Toronto, Canada
Antique antics
I couldn't help but notice that Scribbling Tony B mentioned Cleethorpes Collectibles in his excellent match report. Just in case any readers were wondering, it is situated on Cleethorpes seafront near the library, and sells a wide range of antiques and collectibles (including books and GTFC-related items) at bargain prices. Don't delay, go there today! Cleethorpes Collectibles aren't the official sponsors of Cod Almighty, but they would be if they had the money. And if the editor allowed ads. And various other obstacles would doubtless present themselves. Nonetheless, with Xmas fast approaching it's your one-stop china-shop for the hip-hop fop... er... with a fine crop of... pop... so... shop 'til you drop... needs some work, this bit. More later.
from Someone entirely unconnected with Cleethorpes Coll
Letters Ed responds: Quite frankly, I think they've gone downhill since they stopped doing their free creme eggs with every purchase of antique furniture. It was that which set them apart from their competitors
It is wrong
Is it wrong to fancy Clare Frisby?
from Jay Black
Letters Ed responds: It is very wrong Jay. But we will allow you your sick perversions. Just this once
Trial and error
The OS says that both Konte and Thil were cleared to play in the reserve match today. Has anybody any idea why they didn't? Perhaps Slade was being Wenger-esque and trying to trick Halifax? Can I be cleared to play next week please? I am away on business, so can't actually make it - so it shouldn't be a problem.
from Chris Howes
Dawn tells lies
I wish I had sent an email before the Rushden game. I was going to email about a 'false dawn' preceding many more 'false dawns' following the 5-1 over Bury but thought no, I'll give them a chance. Now I sound silly for making out that I know what I am talking about after the event. Or do I just look silly regardless? Anyhow, those swarmy mind-readers on Radio Humberside were saying that after all the Town pressure, Rushden would sneak a goal and it would end 1-0... and it did. Ask them for six numbers for the lotto. Seriously, the commentators sound bored with Town, as if they actually know that they are wasting their time trying to talk our chances up, knowing they will end up deflated.
Expert Mr George Kerr does still sound like a manager from the old school as he talks about commitment, getting stuck in, snuffing out the strikers etc. but I can't help thinking if he was in charge that it would be like an episode of Bad Lads' Army. It'd be fun to watch a team eventually gel through fear of manager reprisals, n'est pas? I am that fool... they would cry to their agent and get a job with Bristol Rovers.
from Ian Jackson
Letters Ed responds: What annoys me most is David Burns' commentary style: "Town are going to lose this, they'll lose this if they're not careful. Town could lose this, it's definitely a match that Town could lose. They'll have to watch it, Town, or they'll lose it. Oh, and Rushden have scored. I said they'd lose this. I said if they weren't careful they would lose. I said there was a chance they'd lose this match. Town are on the attack... for those that are interes
We do stand a chance
YOU DONT STAND A CHANCE!!
from SPRINGFIELD_BLUE
Letters Ed responds: This isn't a messageboard; you don't have to use an underscore instead of a space. Oh, and you lost 1-0, by the way, and were played off the park. So, you see, we DID stand a chance
The letters page is ace
Hi Cod Almighty peeps! A quick message to you all cos we luv you! The wonderful 'n' sexy diary, Tony Butcher's bonkers match reports, Mat Hare being rubbish at tipping, the match previews. We luv it! When will you replace the letters man though? He is rubbish!! SORT IT! Luv and cuddles!
from Anon
Letters Ed responds: Nice try guys...
The other, other sport
Hurrah that you only nit-pick the journalism of professionals and not people like me... the keen amateur postbag contributor.
Anyhow, a question for Mr Postie regarding the recent Olympics coverage: how unprofessional has it been for the BBC presenters to refer to people like Kelly Holmes and Paula Radcliffe as Kelly and Paula when they address the viewer with their comments or commentary? It is the whole 'Tim' thing creeping into sport in general. OK, so they might know these people well; they may have had a social gathering with them; but why do they have to be so overfamiliar on the TV? You don't hear Motty describing the excellent pass from David to Michael. It is Beckham to Owen - and long should it remain so.
They don't start calling the foreigners by their first names, even the Americans. The last name is always used, so why not stick to protocol. Don't be so bloody partisan and give us a little more professionalism in the presenting work. Main culprit is Sue Barker, but Brendan Foster is a bugger for it as is Stuart Storey. Steve Cram is only partially to blame. Discuss (or Discus. Geddit?)
from Ian Jackson
Letters Ed responds: Um... what was the question again? Whatever the question anyway, I think the blame almost always lies with Sebastian Coe - the Tory twat
Gap-age
I have just been reading the Guardian site and noticed a little fact of note given the younger of these two gents played in Tuesday night's game: "Dave Beasant (43) and Leighton Baines (17) both took part in Wigan's LDV Vans Trophy defeat to Doncaster in November 2002."
The Guardian thinks this might be a record age gap between team-mates. Does anyone know what the record age gap is for Town?
from Dave Chambers
Andy wears T-shirt, then writes pretend letter
Saw someone at the Mansfield game with an ace T-shirt of Carol Vorderman spelling out Cod Almighty as in Countdown. Where can I get one please?
from Andy Mathews
Letters Ed responds: You're gonna have to try harder than that, Andy...
Week loan
Can someone explain to me how a player on a week-to-week contract can be loaned out for a month? Surely by the time the loan is up, he'll be a free agent.
from Phil Watson
Letters Ed responds: I'm assuming that because of his age, if a club wants to sign him, they'd have to pay compensation to Town. As a result we keep hold of his registration