Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Thursday 11 May 2006

11 May 2006

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a chairman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a manager who is also his soulmate. Thus it was that Mr John Fenty gave employment to Mr Russell Slade two years ago this summer, and which of you here was not moved by last week's Mariners World interview in which the GTFC chairman spoke bashfully of the effect had on him by Russ's sweet smiles? As the build-up continues to this play-off semi-final against Lincoln, another important sign has emerged of the two chaps' closeness as one of Slade's exes, Imps midfielder Scott Kerr, has sold a kiss and tell story to the Lincolnshire Echo. "In my first game for Scarborough I saw him pour a cup of orange over someone," reveals Kerr - which is, of course, exactly what Positive John did after Town's win against Tottenham in the League Cup last September. Well, it was more of a vat than a cup, but still - awww, bless.

Transfer rumours surround two former Grimsby forwards, in a funny double triangular sort of shape. Phil Jevons is out of contract at Yeovil and seems to be hoping for a return to something more like the £4,000 a week he was rumoured to be earning at Blundell Park, as he has already turned down a move to Oldham, who have also been linked with a move for Luton's Michael Reddy, who is also said to feature on the wishlist of third division underachievers Bristol City, who are also believed to fancy a bit of Jevons themselves. Try representing that in diagrammatic form without moving your hands!

Diary reader Richard Bedwell has emailed with lots of suggestions for out-of-contract players Town could sign this summer, and for the first time since this discussion began somebody has had something sensible to say. Well, I say sensible; I can't see Wolves' Ioan Ganea ("striker, released, 33, scores goals, Romanian international") being terribly keen, because Molineux is a Magnificent Stadium, and Wolves are a Premiership Club Really, apart from that thing about them not being in the Premiership, and... er, sorry. Right. Sam Stockley, Colchester, right-back, 28; Eugen Bopp, great name, lazy, 22 ("Nicky Southall kept him out of the team," explains Richard worryingly); Paul Gerrard, Forest, goalkeeper, 33; Steven Istead, Hartlepool, released, right midfield, 21 ("doesn't score many goals, popular with the fans" - sounds just like Andy Parkinson), Jason Jarrett, Norwich, midfield, 28. When it comes to Sheffield Wednesday winger Ritchie Partridge, though, that's when Richard applies the recruitment criterion that is always at the back of our minds: "Champ Manager legend". Anyway, thanks for that. It just all depends on whether they've got bigger fish to fry than knocking a ball around for 500 quid a week, really, doesn't it? You're hired.

Another Diary reader, this time called Steve, has emailed a plaintive cry for help ahead of this weekend's gubbins. "This is a long shot, but here goes," he warns, as Alan Pouton lines up a wildly inaccurate 30-yarder. "I'll be at BP on Tuesday but domestic duties mean I have to be in London on Saturday. Does anybody know of anywhere in central London that will be showing the Mariners' game? Ideas much appreciated!" Can you help Steve's eyes go square while we go spare? Email diary@codalmighty.com if you can.

This being Thursday, and Friday being guest diarist day, today's Diary is the last you'll hear from me before our bums squeeze tensely into Sincil Bank (and Steve settles down with a nice pint) to watch the Mariners' future decided. I will give the final word, then, to our old mate Sibbo, who picks up the theme of Town's player of the year before issuing a strong-lunged rallying cry to us all. "Yes, how the hell has Jones the Stick tranformed into such a good centre-half? Maybe Grezzer has helped? If so perhaps Ben Futcher will be player of the season next year." Steady on! David Blaine has just demonstrated the dangers of holding your breath for too long. "Over the past two seasons there have been some good players come to Town (along with some not so good), of course. Although I didn't understand the departure of Simon Ramsden I do see good signs with the team playing better of late. It will be a shame if some players leave due to us not winning promotion. But this seems inevitable. Think last season, think this season. We are going in the right direction and it's a while since that has been said. Those youth team players deserved a good cheer for their success when they paraded the cup at last week's home game. Now it would be nice to see some of those lads come through into the first team. See you at Cardiff."