Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 9 May 2012

9 May 2012

If you have seen the trailer to the new film The Dictator, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, then you'll know precisely which scene I had playing in my mind when I learned today that the Chairman's Challenge match from last night was won by... the Chairman (or the Major Shareholder, or whatever title he uses these days). Only I imagine Deadly John (Topcon) would have been more subtle in the way he disposed of his challengers and at least avoided shooting the opposition players in the leg with a pistol.

Since your West Yorkshire Diarist has experienced playing in a Chairman's Challenge match, I can say with confidence that it's a good laugh and something the club should persist with - if only to give fans the opportunity to see someone like Gary Jones turn out in the black and white stripes once again. The challengers have a good time; they get to play on the Blundell Park turf and pay over a grand between them that goes to that thing that looks after the youth team. The SNOS has promised highlights and pictures of the match later today, so if you played in the game or just want to see the Lump in all his lumpiness, keep checking back for the action.

The latest product to be delivered from the much-vaunted Grimsby Town youth team conveyer belt (just after the cuddly toy) is Dayle Southwell - whose attitude presumably carries the scent of apple blossom in the breeze to Shouty. Dayle's chuffed to bits, of course, to sign a one-year professional deal with the Mariners. As any true fan would declare, I hope he takes his chance - we just hope it's more of a chance that Kiernan Hughes-Mason ever got.

More friendlies have been announced. And it appears Scurst are keen to test the team out against opposition they know well from their time managing Boston in the Conference North. However, while playing Stalybridge Celtic on the eve of a new season was once seen as an opportunity to score loads of goals and boost the morale of your players ahead of your first league match (well, it was on Footy née Champ Manager anyway), today it represents a genuine examination.

Anyone who played Premier Manager on the Amiga in the early nineties will know that Stalybridge Celtic were the worst team in the Conference, and you would always storm to promotion as Wycombe boss with Steve Guppy in your team!