Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 22 October 2002

22 October 2002

Hard-done-by hardman Georges Santos has spoken to the Grimsby Telegraph of his disappointment at his sending-off against gamesmanship experts Rotherham United last weekend. Santos now faces a three-match ban and - like his countryman and role model Patrick Vieira - feels that his reputation precedes him as far as referees as concerned. "I think the thing at Sheffield last season means that referees are looking for me to send me off," says the huge midfielder, referring to the 'Battle of Bramall Lane', where he received his marching orders for the attempted murder of West Bromwich Albion's Andy Johnson. Santos - who recently won the hearts if not the minds of Town fans with a tremendous performance against Watford - denies punching Rotherham defender Darren Garner in the incident that led to his dismissal last Saturday, correctly if chillingly pointing out: "If I gave him a lick - I am 6 feet 5 and he is 5 feet 2 - he would have been on the floor." You can't argue with him there; not that you would.

Former Town forward Mark Quayle, now with Conference side Nuneaton Borough, has been backed by his manager for a call-up to the England semi-professional side. During a brief spell with the Mariners in 2000 Quayle failed to break into the first team, but has averaged a goal every two games in his subsequent non-league career including 10 so far this season. Boro boss Steve Burr says: "His goals prove that he is one of the top strikers in the Conference and I would like to think he would have a chance of being in the England non-league side when that comes around." The player had spells with Everton and Notts County before his sojourn in Lincolnshire.

Money that originated with Grimsby fish fingers may help save first division rivals Leicester City from bankruptcy. Rich bloke David Ross - now with mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse but who emerged from the Ross frozen foods dynasty - is rumoured to be part of the consortium led by TV's Gary Lineker bidding to take control of the ailing midlands club, which applied for administration late last week.

Mariners stalwart John McDermott has been nominated for the BBC Radio Humberside Sporting Achievement Award for 2002. John is one of four nominees, the others being from east Yorkshire and involved in sports that aren't football. So who cares about them? Give Macca your vote.

Furious that someone has some money and is not giving it to them, the clearly destitute Premier League is seeking to prop up its desperately impoverished clubs by seizing control of the professional game from the FA. At a recent meeting representatives of the 20 Premiership clubs, many of whom had not eaten for weeks, began to twitch violently and foam at the mouth when it was revealed that the sport's governing body has earned a few quid from sponsorship of the FA Cup and England national team; and Cod Almighty has today received unconfirmed reports that gangs of muggers matching the description of Premiership chairmen have been targeting children asking "penny for the guy".