Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 27 June 2008

27 June 2008

Well folks, today we have old news, new news and a soupçon of unsubstantiated conspiracy theory.

First of all, can it be really likely that portly cast-off Ciaran Toner will return to Blundell Park on the very first day of next season as a Spotlander? The Grimsby Telegraph reports that the lazy, overweight non-trier may put pen to paper as soon as Monday, so your Guest Diarist has to suppose it is. Town have reached a deal with Mr Toner and it was reported yesterday by the superb new official website that his contract has been cancelled. No doubt, the renowned eager-to-please when-he-feels-he-needs-to-impress Toner will have the game of his life against Town but, nonetheless, life without him feels good. And I'm sure he wasn't the cheapest tool in the box an' all, so now we have room in the playing budget for a proper creative chap for our midfield, eh?

'Tis said that the sun never sets on Cod Almighty and this was proved last night. Whilst us folk snored away, the Kiwi office of this website was skiving off work and reading the Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser. As you do, Andy, as you do. Any road, the folks at Eastwood Town FC obviously thought that their already arranged thirteen (13!) pre-season friendlies were not enough and have greeted a phone call from local boy Alan Buckley with glee. Paddy Farrell tells us more: "Further to these games, I have had a very welcome phone call from Alan Buckley confirming that he will definitely bring his Grimsby Town team to Coronation Park before the 2008-09 campaign starts. The problem at the moment is a specific date as Alan is anxious to bring as strong a squad as he can muster to his home town. I should be able to give details next week."

"Castlemore has pulled out of a £275m regeneration scheme in Leeds city centre, saying it is reviewing its 'appetite' for large-scale schemes in the current market." So starts an article published today in Property Week. Andy Wilkins, MD of Castlemore's regeneration group, is reported as saying: "It is true that we decided not to proceed. This was part of a review of our appetite for large-scale mixed-use city centre developments in the light of prevailing economic conditions." So the Fentydome faces stiff competition from a much more sensible in-town development and has a development partner who is shitting himself over the recession. It's about as likely to happen as Gordon Brown sorting out that nasty dose of stagflation before the next election, methinks.

Speaking of the recession, which is hurting everyone reading this in one pocket or another, then maybe it is time that this august and venerable publication tried to be of practical assistance. How about a cut-price T-shirt to wear this summer? That erratic and unpredictable Cod Almighty T-shirt man tells me that he has done a stock-take in the CA distribution depot (his spare bedroom) and that he has some excess stock to offload at bargain prices. Apart from the postage and Paypal costs, every penny raised will go straight to GTFC. There are a few rarities, he tells me, so watch out for the launch of the CA T-shirt sale. When? Soon. See yer.