Cod Almighty | Diary

Dear Mr Fantasy, play us a tune

30 April 2026

Listen up Gentle reader because I've not got long -  the sun is forever shining, it won't rain and everything needs watering. Your Guest diarist spent just a minute earlier communing with a lady who is waiting for the playoffs. We are past the phase in the season where games come quick and fast, now it is wishin'n'hoping time.

I didn't vote for my player of the season. I had a long think and got down to a list of 6(six) players. Not for a very long time have I had such a big short list. In the end it felt disrespectful to deny any of the other five so I sat on my hands.

But it is time to acknowledge the sterling work done by our Town commentators. When John Tondeur packed it in we all said 'end of an era', never be the same without him etc. But this season I haven't missed him (sorry John). Matt Dean has really stepped up this campaign. I was guilty, in his first season, of comparing him to JT and Burnsie, thinking this is all a bit sterile and lacking in personality. But Mr Dean has grown into the job. He'll never have a nickname or a catchprase but he is competent, committed to the Town cause and, well, I like listening to him now. Compared to the dross you get on our Sky coverage he is stellar. I particularly look out for Dean's regular use of the word steepling as in 'McJannet sends the ball steepling up to the half way line'. Keep it up Matt.

As for Gary Croft and Martin Gritton, both have excelled. Articulate, knowledgeable, wry and enthusiastic. If Town play well they are exultant without being over extravagant. If we are, shall we say, a bit shit, they find ways to say so without dragging us listeners down into the pits of despair. We find the staircase down there all too easily and don't need audio assistance - they know that. I can't wait to hear their dulcet tones again through the playoffs. Let's hope they sing something to make us all happy. See yer.