The Diary

Cod Almighty | Diary

Be like Kev

21 July 2026

Kev Keegan was ace. A bustling pocket-rocket of energy and skill on the pitch and a genuinely good guy off it. This extended into management where he always presented a grace and honesty often lacking in the game. While the main evening news used a montage of Newcastle near-misses to create the narrative that Town had been lucky to beat Keegan's team in 1992, it was Keegan himself who set the record straight.

"It was only 1-0 to Grimsby but it was our biggest hammering since I entered management... If we were to lose I'm glad we've lost to a footballing side. They haven't bullied us. They haven't kicked long balls and done all the things a lot of people think the first division is full of. They got the ball down and took advantage of us having an off day. They played like we normally play. It would have been some game if our standards hadn't slipped."

One of Daubney's great non-Town football regrets was Keegan's attacking sides not being rewarded with more silverware. His stint as England manager may have been a disappointment but it showcased that honesty when it was apparent to him before the rest of us it wasn't working. Sad as his death is, the memories of Keegan will endure and come as a timely antidote to the tacky and joyless cynicism showcased in the US on Sunday.

Town news. The new shirts look great but Daubney is starting to feel that they belong on the terraces. When I see the home I think Handyside or Burnett. The away makes me think of Livvo. It's wasn't right seeing Vernam instead of Livvo in the Slovenian friendly. They still look ace obviously. Anyhow, I've given up trying to get the new online shop to work, hopefully I'll still want to buy one by the time I get to BP.

Town non-news. The Companies House update yesterday was a routine part of the process of Jason unhitching his wagon as announced when he joined the government last year. Carry on.