Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 20 November 2002

20 November 2002

After a series of pretend injuries forced the withdrawal of several players from the Wales team for today's European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan, the Mariners' Vanilla Ice lookalike Darren Barnard claims a place in the starting line-up. His clubmate and compatriot Danny Coyne, who has also travelled to Baku with the squad, misses out, as the three goalkeepers ahead of him in the pecking order have been allowed to stay out late by their club managers.

Peter Furneaux and Paul Groves are to face the slings and arrows of outrageous Grimbarians next Tuesday evening, when a Radio Humberside phone-in will subject the Town chairman and manager to three hours of gormless, ill-informed abuse from a load of nesbits who haven't even been near Blundell Park since John Newman was manager. Sorry, I'm just in a really bad mood this morning. Town's official site will also cover the event, and fans are invited to email questions in advance to oldgit@gtfc.co.uk.

Dave Otter of Grimsby Town Supporters Trust has emailed Cod Almighty to point out that the vote we reported yesterday "was a legal requirement to establish ourselves as an Industrial and Provident Society". Flippant is the Diary's middle name, Dave, but we are happy to clarify matters by passing that on. Our apologies. Dave also takes issue with our apparently sceptical use of the word claim in reporting that 'The organisers claim a turnout of 200 fans', but as a non-believer in the existence of objective reality, the Diary is compelled to stand firm on this. Tell you what - we could do you a 'boldly assert', if that's any use?

The official site carries news of half-season tickets. Like most of the England batsmen we'll play it straight by telling you that they do offer supreme value for money. And what better way to ensure your seat for what's bound to be a thrilling run-in to the season?