Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Thursday 27 March 2003

27 March 2003

As today's transfer deadline approaches, the gaps in Town's injury-ravaged midfield are plugged by two new loan midfielders, namely Cardiff's Des Hamilton and Preston's Michael Keane. Former Newcastle man Hamilton has failed to feature for the second division club since the turn of the year, but Ireland under-21 international Keane is said to be one of the most promising young players in Division One. "One thing that has to be said about them is that it's a massive plus that they wanted to come," Paul Groves tells today's Grimsby Telegraph, not exactly sending fans' expectations through the roof.

Meanwhile the Telegraph gleefully parades a series of ill-informed txtmsg-style letters from supporters who have unquestioningly bought every word of the paper's report yesterday that the GTFC board is unwilling to stump up ten bob and a Milky Bar to keep John Oster. The Diary would like to point out, explicitly this time, the GT's recent record of inconsistent and contradictory reporting of the Oster situation - not to mention the reliance on unnamed sources and lack of supporting quotes in yesterday's piece - and urge fans to pause and consider who it is that they support: Grimsby Town Football Club or the Grimsby Telegraph?

Trialist news now, and Crewe's former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder and 500cc Superbike racer Wayne Collins was the surprise name in yesterday's reserves game at Mansfield. Collins is being allowed to leave the second division club on a free transfer after an ongoing fitness problem, which conveniently qualifies him immediately for service with the Mariners. Middlesbrough defender Kevin George played the second half and "did well", according to Town's official site; but the Diary's favourite discarded second division midfielder Wayne Gill sadly made no appearance. Town lost 3-2, with goals from Stephen Downes and Chris Thompson.

The polling booths have opened for the Supporters' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year award, with voting slips being available at forthcoming home games and fans also invited to vote online. Presentations will be made at a simply fabulous-sounding event at the Winter Gardens on 29 April, boasting 'entertainment from the superb "Y'Abba D'Abba",' says Town's official site, 'and a disco.' My goodness! Tickets are priced at a cautious £2.