Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 10 February 2004

10 February 2004

"The decision wasn't up for discussion before and it came about because we needed a way forward and we weren't getting a way forward that would turn it around." Is it just me, or does it sound like Peter Furneaux and the GTFC directors were sitting around the table at their emergency board meeting yesterday morning, wondering what it is that football clubs do when the team is playing like they've bet against themselves and the coaching staff have clearly run out of ideas, and one of them said: "Well... no, this is going to sound crazy... but we could always... maybe... try a new manager...?" and all the rest of them started up sharply, shocked expressions slowly but inevitably being replaced by looks of approval, as if they d point in all that old versus new technology comparison lark was, but there you go. One player who might not turn out for the Latics is Calvin Zola who is hamstrung.

Oldham manager John Sheridan tells the Manchester Evening News that he wants his players to start taking their chances and pull away from the relegation zone. As is the norm for opposition managers, Sheridan casts jealous eyes over Town's squad, before noting "Grimsby...like to play football, which should suit us." Yes, playing another football team sometimes helps, John. Incidentally, the bottom of the MEN's preview carries the line "Last season: Different divisions" which is an album title if ever I've seen one. And if you've seen any more potential album titles you might fancy dropping them the Diary's way.

Closer to home, Town manager Paul 'Grovesie' Groves says his boys want to win for the 1,500 Town fans who will be at Boundary Park on Sunday. The club, you see, have shifted theg sacked him just as a kind of wild, spur-ofhave all gone to Town fans, and all of those Town fans are going to turn up aren't they? In what should be a cutting jibe at the other-worldly atmosphere at Blundell Park these days (that other world being Pluto), Groves comments "it's always good to play in front of a full house wherever it is. So it's one to look forward to." He continues: "Hopefully we can get a positive result from it as well." Could be an idea, Paul, otherwise I can see elements of the Town support imagining the front page of Monday's Grimsby Telegraph carrying a picture of your face under the headline THE FACE OF EVIL. Maybe.

The Riby Square hacks also decide to extend a warm, welcoming hand to Town's new loan signing Lee Thorpe with a story titled IT'S WELCOME TO (C)LEE THORPE!. A story which bears an uncanny resemblance to another story from 30 January called IT'S WELCOME TO (C)LEE THORPE!... Good to see the boys and girls at the GET are taking their rno contact with Gillingham over Alan Pouton'pare minute you might want to check out Marcel Cas's replacement in the paper's Matchday supplement. And, no, they haven't given Cod Almighty's Pete Green a whole page to fill with his ramblings.

Over at an Oldham fans message board one Town fan claims "we have a lot of half time supporters here at Grimsby". We'll see if these people are still fans of a fifteen-minute break after they have suffered at the hands of Pop Idol's Jodie Connor on Sunday. Note to the club's commercial department: forget Atomic Kitten; isn't it time we unleashed Kim Gee at Blundell Park? Anyway, if you want more on Sunday's game there's a thorough preview here.

In other news, Kenny Dalglish has chosen Ernie Cooksey's rasping goal - Oldham's second - in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Town on Boxing Day as his goal of December for Granada TV's Soccer Sunday. Talking of Dalglish, how the hell did that miserable git spawn something as lovely as his daughter Kelly?

If there's anyone in Grimsby who still likes to spend their afternoon supporting their local team tickets are now on sale for Grimsby Town's next home against Brighton, a week on Saturday. At least turn up to support the Cod Almighty Blundell Babes who will be mascots for the game. And there's a reminder that the game against Bristol City has been rearranged for February 17 and tickets for that are also on sale, with two kids getting in for free with a full paying adult in any stand.

Righty ho. Time for me to clear off. If you're going to the game, maybe I'll see you there or even in the Old Grey or your deepest wishes, in case they come trf="mailto:simon@codalmighty.com">drop me an email if you fancy a pre-match chin-wag. Ciao.