Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 20 February 2007

20 February 2007

So Town are on the crest of a wave, having scored 12 times in winning their last three games, confidence at its highest all season, hot-shot striker Martin Paterson looking to sign off in style this evening in the final game of his loan, and as many as 6,000 fans expected to roar Lord Buckley's men on to another priceless victory. Wrexham, meanwhile, are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, having won once away from home all season and taken only three points from a possible 21 under caretaker manager Brian Carey, who has reached in desperation for the "informal, part-time" assistance of failed former Liverpool and Swindon boss Roy Evans. I think we know what to expect tonight, don't we.

In all the excitement of Paterson, Danny North and Straight Peter Bore finding the scoresheet lately, it's easy to overlook such less spectacular but equally important contributions as James Hunt's in the defensive midfield holding engine room anchor tackling yard dog role. And in all the excitement of Paterson having to go back to Stoke because Town didn't do the paperwork, it's equally easy to miss the news that no such administrative fuck-up stands between Hunt and an extended loan period at Blundell Park, as the Bristol Rovers tough guy has put ink-laden writing implement to tree-derived writing medium on a new contract to stay with the Buckley revolution for a further month. We all good with that? Good.

The recent petition against road pricing has been signed by 1.5m people and is based on ill-informed, kneejerk, short-sighted, selfish ignorance. The current petition for Sir John McDermott to be granted the designation Member of the British Empire has been signed by 185 people and is based on a wish to see official public recognition for the astonishing career attainments of an unsung hero of English football. "I don't know your feelings on the subject," writes John Ide in an email to the Diary, "but as they seem to hand out gongs to 'celebrities' for farting nowadays surely he deserves something." Indeed, John, and thanks for bringing the Diary's attention to the matter. Here's the link, people; you've got until 23 March to sign it, pass it on, and all the rest.

Richard Bedwell, meanwhile, has emailed about Guest Diary's recent correspondence from the Minister for Sport on the subject of standing up at the football. "Two things struck me about old Cabby's letter," he explains, beginning with Mr Caborn's assertion that "following the development of Arsenal's North Stand at Highbury in 1993, the number of female fans sitting in this area increased by 35%". Bedders counters: "First, I want to know how many female fans sat in the North Stand at Highbury before it was all-seater. This sort of dangerous behaviour surely added to the accident statistics for stands at that time. Second, why should the Government care if it is cost-effective to reintroduce standing areas? Are they going to pay for it? Are they bothered as much as Neville G is about vast sums being wasted on agents?" The Prime Minister is a lifelong and passionate Newcastle fan, you know.

Last up today it's Steve Hull, who has an observation on the never-a-dull-moment goings-on down the road (albeit quite a long road) at York Street. "I see our cheating neighbours have signed a winger on a month's loan," he writes, "who 'relishes the battle' at Boston. Well, who wouldn't. Mind you, the BBC manage to include 'who made his debut in the 3-0 defeat by Shrewsbury' in the same paragraph, putting his fighting spirit into perspective. Good to see them occupying their rightful place in the bottom two." Thanks, Steve - for reminding us that there may be a silver lining tonight if the worst happens and the form book flies jauntily through the double glazing.