Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 25 April 2003

25 April 2003

Town fans could catch a glimpse of the club's future in the last two games of this season as Paul Groves hints at blooding some youngsters. Yuck. I hate that expression. Simon Ford and Michael Boulding joining the legions of the crocked, says Groves, "might give a chance to some of the younger lads to have a run in the team." Wes Parker and Chris Thompson could come in, while the Grimsby Telegraph reckons free-scoring reserve midfielder Graham Hockless is one of four bright young things who could be set for a first-team debut. Central defenders Greg Young and Kirk Wheeler and winger Stephen Downes are the other names suggested as the squad is prepared for tomorrow's trip to Reading, whose play-off rivals were already drafting official complaints to the league about Town's under-strength team until it was pointed out that Town had been fielding under-strength teams all season.

Peter Furneaux will be pleased with the outcome of yesterday's meeting of Football League chairmen in Leicester. The 72 men in suits voted to adopt sanctions against overspending clubs that enter administration - a measure for which the aged GTFC chairman, after watching the likes of Bradford and Leicester swan into Blundell Park and beat Town with players they don't have to pay for, has been one of the loudest advocates. The Diary only wishes Pete had thought of it a year ago.

Of less certain benefit to the Mariners will be the other two major measures approved yesterday: a wage cap, beginning in Division Three and extending to Two and One in the 2004-05 season; and a frankly stupid overhaul of the play-off system proposed by those losers at Crystal Palace, whereby teams finishing as low as eighth in their league may be promoted. If Town finish eighth next season and return to Division One via the play-offs, please do not remind me that I wrote this.