Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 24 July 2006

24 July 2006

Town are missing half a team ahead of tonight's run-out against Rotherham, the most significant absence being that of new goalkeeper Phil 'I Were Born in Sheffield' Barnes, who was subbed off against Lincoln last Thursday with a thigh strain. Barnes' absence means another go in goal for teenage reserve stickboy Rob Murray, while the club's official website reports that Tom Newey, Gary Cohen, Jones the Lump, Sir John McDermott and Luton's Michael Reddy will also be sitting out this evening's proceedings. Coming in to the team, meanwhile, will be Adam Wykes, a Leicester midfielder who is arriving at Blundell Park today on trial and whose name the Diary has just spent an almost entirely fruitless half-hour googling. For what it's worth, he seems to be thought of highly by his friends.

Just as they belatedly registered the fact that they were spending enormous quantities of money that wasn't theirs, second division Leeds have belatedly registered the fact that they will be following most of their Yorkshire neighbours to Cleethorpes this summer. A team from Elland Road arrives at BP next Monday for the Mariners' final friendly game before the season begins, and LUFC's official website has just got round to mentioning the fact. Interestingly, the site states that the match will be a testimonial for Graham Rodger, but goes on to claim that "Leeds also took part in John McDermott's testimonial match at Grimsby last season". The Diary was there, and I swear it was Hull, so I'll be taking everything Leeds say with a pinch of salt unless it turns out that Eirik Bakke and Gary Kelly just popped over to Macca's game to make the tea.

That just leaves the recent exploits of three former Mariners to fill you in on. You don't really care that Paul Fraser is on trial at Boston Town, do you? I'd be surprised if you could remember who he is. That just leaves Jones the Stick wowing the chilly Jockos with a headed goal in Hibs' Intertoto Cup exit over the weekend ("With big Rob we can be more direct!" enthuses manager Tony Mowbray) and Ashley Sestanovich ending up in prison. I'm not sure which is more depressing really.