Cod Almighty | Diary
Diary - Wednesday 5 January 2005
5 January 2005
After about 18 months of relatively balanced reporting on Grimsby Town Football Club, the Grimsby Telegraph today sensationally launches into a furious outburst of sensational frenzy outrage snub fury soccer shame astonishing outburst sensation. The issue is Town's tax bill, and the fact that there is no grave concern among observers with some understanding of the way the Inland Revenue works seems to be no impediment to professional and amateur media that are desperate for a bit of attention. Hence the Revenue's rejection of John Fenty's most recent proposal for settling the debt being represented as a "snub" and a "huge blow" when it is in fact an entirely ordinary aspect of its standard negotiations with companies that owe back tax. While not surprised to have seen the situation exaggerated elsewhere, the Diary is a little disappointed to witness the GT returning to Ambulancegate standards of journalism.
The Telegraph adds that Chairman Fenty is meeting representatives of Town's supporters' trust this Friday. Whether he will be holding out an inverted item of headgear or is just offering reassurance is not stated, and there seems to be no mention of this forthcoming encounter on the GTST website, but there is a page there inviting fans to "donate to the GTFC tax problem". Which reminds me: if any of you have been meaning to give money to the tsunami relief fund but haven't got round to it yet then the website of the Disasters Emergency Committee is the best place to do so.
Ticket news today, and it is alleged by no less authoritative a source than Town's official website that those wishing to enter the Brisbane Road stadium for the Mariners' destiny-shaking clash with Leyton Orient a week on Saturday will need advance tickets. No, really. The OS proceeds to mention that tickets are now on sale to people with stubs from last Monday's game against Cambridge and next Tuesday's against Northampton - in the latter case, presumably, it will be acceptable if the ticket is still attached to the stub - and adds mysteriously: "Season ticket holders can also secure their place." If anyone from the club is reading, then, could they please tighten the bolts around the bottom of my seat.
"Has anyone noticed how Forbes is reluctant or incapable of heading now?" writes the indefatigable Dave the Engineer in an email to the Diary. Yes, Dave - he seems quick enough to recover from mistakes but somehow not the player he was before the court case. "He's still quick enough to recover from mistakes but not the player he was before the court case." Glad you agree. "Jones deserves some praise for the last two games, but star man is Rambo. Welcome back." Well, thanks - it's good to be back, and it's always nice to be missed. Oh, you meant Rambo, didn't you. Damn.
Paul Moran has also emailed the Diary, and he "just wanted to say that for some reason I'm feeling reassured by the fact we've got Martin Gritton in our team. I haven't seen Town play this season so far so can't comment on how he compares to our other options, nor have I ever laid eyes on him, but the facts that (a) we've signed him and he's not on a short-term loan or younger and less experienced than our 'young loaned-out players who need experience'; (b) he's scored 16 goals in a recent season (not in his career); and (c) he chose to come here instead of go somewhere else make me feel quite warm inside." The Diary also experienced a strange feeling of bodily warmth at half-time on Monday, Paul, although this may have been due less to Gritton than to the effects of several pints of Old Mill bitter combined with the length of the toilet queues in the Pontoon.