Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 29 November 2006

29 November 2006

Grimsby Town midfielder Paul Bolland does not have a broken foot. Nor is BBC broadcaster Harry Gration currently afflicted with german measles. David Remnick, the editor of the New Yorker magazine, is not thought to be in the habit of adding balsamic vinegar to his cornflakes rather than milk, and the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the environment, Chris Huhne MP, is not engaged in a sordid beyond-the-grave affair with the ghost of Queen Victoria. You may deem these statements unnecessary, but the Mariners' official website has moved swiftly to allay fears that the foot injury suffered by Bolland in last Saturday's win over Accrington was a fracture - so swiftly, in fact, that no such fears had any chance to arise beforehand. The problem has been diagnosed as tissue damage by club physio Dave Moore, who says it's "a case of wait and see" but is hopeful that the player will be fit for the trip to Barnet next Tuesday. Subscribe now to the Mariners' official SMS service and be reassured that Alan Buckley's ability to shout from the touchline is not impaired by an acute case of bronchial hyperreactivity.

Observers of the Accrington game are unanimous in their appraisal of Martin Paterson as a highly promising young striker possessed of ample pace, technique and positional acumen. Observers of today's Grimsby Telegraph, however, may also conclude that Town's loan phenomenon could be a bit on the impressionable side. Perhaps influenced by the rapturous ovation he received from supporters as he left the field at the weekend, Paterson has told the local paper that one of the reasons he is enjoying his time at Blundell Park is that the people of Grimsby are "so passionate about their football". I guess he was in the shower when the stands began to empty rapidly with several minutes of Town's glorious victory still to be played.

The debate rumbles on like a big rumbly thing over the ethnic composition of Alan Buckley's transfer record, with three more emails to the Diary upon this subject today. In case you haven't been following this, there are certain West Bromwich Albion supporters who believe AB exhibited a reluctance to sign black players during his term at the Hawthorns, but Diary readers have pointed out that it was Buckley who brought Keith Alexander and Roger 'Harry' Willis to Cleethorpes, as well as Tony Ford for his second spell at the club. "AB was also minutes away from signing George Paris following Andy Tillson's departure to QPR," adds Rob Moore. "However he withdrew at the last moment, resulting in the legendary Paul Futcher being rescued from Halifax reserves. Probably worked out well for all concerned. Brian Laws signed Kingsley Black; however, it should be noted that AB did sign him when manager of Lincoln City, therefore dispelling the slanderous comment that he never signed a 'Black' player once and for all." Thanks, Rob - I dunno who George Paris is, but I'll assume he was a black central defender. Ben Gresswell asks: "Has little Al ever signed an oriental player? I recall Loony Lawrence signing Zhang Enhua but don't recall Mr B bringing anyone in from the Far East. As usual, though, I am bound to be proven wrong." Not sure, Ben, but Russell Slade was known to have bought a Chinese in Mablethorpe. And lastly, Andy Ecelson informs us that "AB signed Keith Alexander back in 1988". Thanks for that, Andy. Buckley has recently been reappointed Grimsby manager, by the way!