Cod Almighty | Diary

Lookin' thru Billy Gilmour's eyes

25 June 2026

After yesterday's flippant, weirdly incisive and not altogether inaccurate world cup special from BOTB welcome to a world cup free edition brought to you by that day trasher without a horse, me. I get all the news I need from the weather report - and unless you are some kind of weirdo heat-freak the news is all bad.

I suppose, in this heatwave, that getting hot under the collar is allowable. So forgive me if my opinions today don't match yours but, hey, don't worry I have plenty of others if these don't suit. First off, I don't care if young McEachran has moved down south to Chesterfield. He was good in spells against opponents who let him but latterly lost his mojo and let himself get bullied off the ball. Like several of that Chelsea academy cohort (think Billy Gilmour and Georges brother Josh) he flattered to deceive. In our division if you lack height, speed and power you have to be bloody good to dominate the midfield. So your Guest Diarist wishes him well and thanks him for his service (he did more for England than Starmer ever did) but won't miss him really.

As for Jackson Smith, well he had a very hot streak when he arrived and his ebullient assertive personality endeared him to one and all around the club. But he was only playing for Town and always unlikely to become a Town player. Dave Beasant in miniature. We loved Beasant but we never expected to keep him. The fact that he has announced extreme excitement at joining another club is indicative - he goes somewhere, does the best job he can and has great PR skills.

Better we celebrate the ones that are left than mourn the ones who are gone. For example no-one in my sphere ever seems to acclaim how good Green is at winning defensive long throw headers. There are stats for eveything these days - I bet his for that is remarkably high. He is also exceptional at the near post (at both ends of the pitch). So, if you are feeling a bit glum, try remembering some of those. Kieran Green, a Town player and long may it remain so. See yer.