Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 10 May 2006

10 May 2006

For a while he played for Gateshead, who are rubbish, then he went to Stockport and couldn't get in the team, so they loaned him out to Macclesfield, and he got injured or something and didn't really do very much, then he got released on a free transfer. When GTFC signed Rob Jones in July 2004 it was not on the basis of an impressive CV, and during his first year at Blundell Park supporters perceived little reason to anticipate great things when his contract was renewed at the end of it. Whether the Stick spent the summer of 2005 in transcendental meditation or watching videos of Bobby Moore is not known, but he began the following season with some of the finest displays seen from a central defender in many a long year by Town fans, who risked life and limb to carry Jones off the pitch above their heads after his awesome performance in September's cup win over Tottenham. And the pressure is now well and truly on BP's men with guns maturing in age to improve the player's shitty wage after Jones was named the Mariners' player of the year at last night's awards ceremony. The young player award went to 22-year-old Gary Cohen, while Paul Bolland, Gary Jones and Luton's Michael Reddy collected a clutch of secondary gongs. Most importantly of all, Sir John McDermott retains the title Cod Almighty player of the year after we awarded him it in 2005 and couldn't be bothered to do another one this time.

This Saturday's inconsequential kickabout at Sincil Bank is to be prefaced by a game of five-a-side between Imps and Mariners supporters. The local branch of the BBC has organised the match as part of its build-up to the weekend's trifle, and Town's representatives will be headed up by the man inside the foam suit, Andy 'Mighty Mariner' Carr. Highlights will feature on Friday's Look North programme, and it is to be hoped that Mighty will be allowed to retain his ceremonial dress for the occasion.

In other coverage of the play-off semi, former Town full-back and City manager Graham 'Very Much So' Taylor - who later enjoyed a spell in charge of some bigger teams, the Diary understands - has been sharing his profound footballing insights with the Lincolnshire Echo. "Whether Grimsby missing out on automatic promotion on the last day gives Lincoln a psychological edge, I'm not sure," Taylor tells the potato rag. "I don't know much about the players because I have seen very little of them." Right. Thanks for that then.

On the subject of Town's possible transfer targets for the summer, which we were yesterday and the day before, Dan Humphrey has contacted the Diary. The self-styled 'North Bank Diary' is responding to Mark Wilson's email yesterday suggesting that Russ's first port of call will be the released list of King$ton Communication$ FC. "I must report that KCFC full-backs Mark Lynch and Robbie Stockdale are available," writes Dan. "And I am informed that they are both rubbish. So Macca need not worry." That's Sir Macca to you.