Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 4 April 2008

4 April 2008

"Maybe it's coincidence, maybe it isn't," brooded Lord Buckley darkly to his loyal media serf Dale. The great man was musing, nay, ruminating the cud that is an unexpected injury crisis following the team's night out in London. The superb new official site explained things most succinctly thus: "Six players are carrying knocks ahead of the trip to Spotland; Paul Bolland (dead-leg), Danny North (knee), Peter Bore (thigh), James Hunt (hamstring), Rob Atkinson (groin) and Ciaran Toner (knee) are all doubtful." After every player declaring himself fit as a fiddle and raring to go a week ahead of Wembley, the injury list is disappointing. The players had Monday and Tuesday off and couldn't be arsed to move much on Wednesday (according to the manager), and the injuries may mean an earlier-than-expected bench debut for young Master Bird and a start for Andy Taylor ("Hooray! Go for it!" exclaims your Guest Diarist, who used to watch Andy's dad Johnnie banging in the goals for Caistor Rovers a generation ago).

Town are away at Rochdale tomorrow - a team having one of their 'we can beat anybody, and we will' phases which they get about twice a season, it would seem. Only this time they have managed to garner enough points in their other spells to ensure that they are odds-on to make the play-offs. Given that we cannot possibly get there (oh surely not, stuff your arithmetic up your jacksy, gentle reader) it would be nice to see those Spotlanders get a glimpse of limelight. Heaven knows it is rare indeed in those parts; they have been in the basement division for over 30 years and have only made the play-offs once, about half a dozen of your Earth years ago. Which, of course, they lost. They tend to get the better of Town lately though, so given the squad's attitude in training this week, and the horrible playing surface, an away win looks about as likely as a funny joke from Harriet Harman.

For those skint after Wembley this away match might look one to miss. But think on, folks: this is probably the last competitive match of the season. So try and turn up if you can. Another event worth turning up to is one of the Workers' Day memorial services next week: "Three Workers' Memorial Day Services are being held on Monday April 28, in North East Lincolnshire towns, to remember fellow workers who have lost their lives or been injured at work. Organisers want all unions to show a united front against such deaths and injuries in the workplace. The services will be held at 10.30am in the grounds of the War Memorial, Pelham Road, Immingham; 1pm at the War Memorial, Nun's Corner, Grimsby; and 3pm at the Workers Memorial Pier Gardens, Alexander Road, Cleethorpes." So reads the missive to Mr Diary from the NUJ, who have asked us to publicise these worthy events. Consider it done, comrades, consider it done.

Hang on though - I'd better come clean, folks. I won't be going tomorrow as I am trying to buy a fresh car. I'll leave you lot to think up your own excuses. See yer.