Cod Almighty | Diary

What became of the people we used to be?

9 July 2026

I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin. Oh well your Guest Diarist muses - at least I'm not bald. To be honest, in this heat, it would be better if my hair fell out. Note to self - investigate preventative chemo as a biz concept. Apologies to all those who have to have chemo for real, it must be awful.

I had our annual little two day break in Meggies last week which made me re-examine why I don't go to home games any more. As Joni said "I get the urge for going but I never seem to go". Cod Almighty's life president made me an incredibly generous offer of his second season ticket. But common sense kicked in and I had to decline. For planetary-saving reasons I eschewed all unnecessary travel fifteen years ago. That must sound insane but I believe if you make your world smaller your problems reduce. Unlike many people I actually really enjoy football on the telly - I have not missed a Town league match for three seasons and counting. So me and the Patterdale will be watching from the Parisian pied-à-terre. His goal celebrations are very muted but I am convinced that Dexter is a fully-fledged Town fan.

I met up with my oldest school pal whilst in Cleethorpes. We went to our first Town match together for his tenth birthday - that great cup game against West Ham in '65. The conversation was nostalgic, we pulled at the brightest leaves of our youth and watched them flutter to the ground. Nowadays I try not to make too many new memories. "How long can I keep this memory for" I think (sorry, plagiarise). No, I have to experience it now - in this moment. Live your life now, in the moment, this present blissful moment. Try to die happy.

I read the Manchester paper yesterday and was moved and pleased at the great turnout to respect Alex Hughes' funeral. The family carried him shoulder-high and the great and the good were all there including Mr Artell leading a delegation from Town. We didn't have him long but he is one of our own, bless him.

We used to play a game called 'spot the TV scarf'. Then we moved on to 'spot the amazing eyebrows'. Here a mention in dispatches to our own Philip Norton whose eyebrows deserve their own equity card. But this summer there is a sensational addition to our roster of TV parlour games. I give you Comedy Glasses! The fashion for ever-larger and more ridiculous spectacles has given us great joy and many a laugh-out-loud TV moment. Long may it continue. 

Anyroad it's pickling week at our house - the Jostaberry jam, cucumber relish and piccallili are made but I'm off to pickle some beetroot. Don't worry the pre-season will be up and running soon. See yer.