Cod Almighty | Diary

Are you England in disguise?

30 June 2026

Miss Guest Diary writes: With my fellow diarists concentrating on World Cup shenanigans, it has fallen to me to highlight the disappointments of the new fixture list. No, I'm not talking about being away to Salford on Boxing Day – having a Boxing Day off for the first time since I failed to get tickets for the game at Harrogate four years ago is quite welcome. What is egregious is that there isn't a Tuesday league fixture at Blundell Park, and with that an opportunity for pre-match fish and chips at Ocean's, until 29 December! And what's the betting that they will be closed for the festive period. I will have to make up for it by attending the pre-season game against Lincoln on Tuesday, 28 July, tickets for which went on sale yesterday. £12 for adults and a very reasonable £6 for youngsters and old folks like me.

Over the weekend news broke that Jason Svanthorsson has returned to Iceland to sign for KR Reykjavik, whose kit could be mistaken for a Town shirt from the last century. Good luck Jason, it's a shame that your time with us was cut short by injury.

Talking of shirts, after a quiet few days last week the club launched the new home shirt yesterday evening with a moody black and white promotional film shot around and about the club and the town. Cue much excitement on the socials from people eager to get their hands on one. I don't really take much interest in shirts myself, so I asked CA's resident kit nerd expert what he thought. He was a bit surprised Town have gone for a remake rather than a more modern 'inspired by' design, but thinks the long-sleeved one looks ace. He's reserving full judgment until he can make an assessment in the flesh, so to speak. Apparently there was a launch event for sponsors and media last night, a lost opportunity to return all those heritage shirts to CA Towers. 

The other news getting Town fans in a tizzy is the rumour that Lincoln City are in talks with the club about employing Shaun Pearson. I have mixed feelings about this. It is always sad when someone with a long-standing relationship with the club leaves – whether that be a player or a member of staff – but who would begrudge Shaun the opportunity to work at a Championship club, presumably for more money and status. I'm sure David Artell doesn't.

On a lighter note, someone has just given me The Big Book of Football Champions from 1955. It has a tremendous article by Albert Quixall who played inside-right (Mr B had to explain that one to me with diagrams) for Sheffield Wednesday, and later Manchester United. He liked to "play with my shorts hitched up around the waist to give more freedom to my legs" and advocated practising ballet movements "to help balance, strengthen the ankles and speed up the feet." He also passed on tips he'd been given by more senior players, including Len Shackleton, who suggested he "move the ball more quickly. You will have a better chance then of finding your colleagues unmarked." Right oh! Maybe someone could share this with Tommy Tuchel.