Cod Almighty | Diary
Diary - Wednesday 3 August 2005
3 August 2005
The Office. Gulliver's being any good. The life of John Peel. All good things come to an end, and so it is with the literally awe-inspiring playing career of John McDermott, which will conclude next May after lasting almost 20 years. Sir John made his Mariners debut in 1987 against Bradford, playing in a wide midfield position under Mike Lyons. Converted by Alan Buckley to a right-back, Macca has gone on to make a staggering 690 appearances for the club in all competitions, experiencing five relegations and three promotions at the last count, and being voted supporters' player of the year for 2004-05 at the age of 36. After appearing in last night's friendly against Blackburn, St John revealed to Radio Humberside that the forthcoming season would be his last as a player, giving GTFC and the fans nine months to come up with some suitable ways to commemorate his magnificence. Well, we've done a T-shirt; what's your idea? Email the Diary and share it.
Town fans who attended last night's game are today relieved that only one injury was inflicted by the notoriously violent visitors, albeit to the imperious Jean-Paul Kamudimba, who was replaced by Terry Barwick after getting kicked half an hour in. Perhaps more significant was the performance of returning prodigal son Gary Croft, who was invited to play in last night's game by assistant manager Graham 'Rodgers' Rodger and created the goal with which Rob Jones put Town ahead on 20 minutes. The player's all-round display had supporters purring with delight at the prospect of a Macca/Croft retro wing-back pairing setting the fourth division alight. Michael Reddy, furthermore, has clearly benefited from a week of army discipline and forced Rovers' Dominic Matteo to defend to the best of his Premiership ability. Oh, and Blackburn scored twice, but never mind that. Sign 'im up, Slades!
Like an unsuitable present bought in panic on your first Christmas shopping expedition on 15 December, and then shoved into a drawer when you found something a bit classier in Binns the following Sunday, Town's early summer signing Jermaine Palmer has been loaned out to Scarborough before kicking a ball. Although, saying that, he's probably kicked a few in training and stuff. You'd hope so anyway. Er, so, yeah. That's it really. Sorry - I'm just in a bit of a tizz with this whole Macca/Croft thing. Those golf ball/aftershave gift packs will be reduced to 29p on Friday.
Blow me if yesterday afternoon wasn't a busy old time for ex-Mariners - the most recent of whom, Stacy Coldicott, will be Hereford United's yard-dog for the next two years after finally signing a contract with the Conference side. Two players who prove that if you make your name at Blundell Park then you will only lose it elsewhere are Michael Boulding - who has changed his mind about joining Crewe and retired from professional football at the age of 29 to do boring but more lucrative business stuff instead - and John Oster, who has further delayed his eventual Croftian return to Cleethorpes by agreeing a one-year deal at second division Reading. Finally, Menno Willems - the pierced-tongued Dutchman who North East Lincs just wasn't ready for - has been released by his most recent club, Sparta Rotterdam, despite having a year still to run on his contract. Seems to be a pattern emerging there.
Before you sleep and dream of Croft and McDermott, there's just time for an email from Dick of Legbourne on the subject of another great name. "Let us not forget other past heroes who continue to grace the field," he writes. "Dave Gilbert is still going strong and doing his stuff - and not too far from Blundell Park either. Now player-coach at Lincoln United and aged 43, his boys lined up against Dario's Championship Crewe as Crofty and the crew lined up against Premiership Blackburn. 'Those who want to take their football seriously and make a career out of the game will find out what the benchmark is. I'm sure they will give a good account of themselves and it will be a great experience for them,' he said. So long as they follow your example, mate, I'm sure they will. Good on yer Dave and long live the ickle folk!" A heart-warming note on which to finish today's Diary - so thanks for that, Dick. Hmmm I feel a T-shirt coming on