Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 15 September 2008

15 September 2008

There were one or two things about Alan Buckley's third spell in charge of the Mariners that made the Diary wonder whether his managerial abilities had deserted him. But the timing and style of his sacking today demonstrate a lack of judgement in the boardroom that goes far beyond anything in the dugout.

At around 10:30 this morning GTFC announced the dismissal of the manager using the same cowardly "relieved of his duties" cliché that they used when they gave Graham Rodger the boot two years ago (if you're sacking someone, just say you're sacking someone). Far worse, though, was the timing. Rodger's marching orders may have been issued hastily but 2008-09 was the one season, by virtue of the points deductions given to Luton and Bournemouth, when the chairman had the luxury of time to consider a decision. What a pity that he chose to squander it. Whether or not Buckley could ultimately have got Town out of this hole - and the Diary has seriously doubted it at times - this was the wrong moment in every way to deny him the chance. Perhaps the unrewarded performances at Gillingham and in the second half against Chester should have earned the manager half a dozen games more. Or perhaps he should have been replaced over the summer, giving a new boss the chance to build his own team. Either decision would have been vastly better than today's. The three months of delay (so far) over appointing a new manager will mean an extra year is needed for the building of his squad - and the fans are fed up of waiting, regardless of the name on the office door.

All the signs, then, are that Buckley's successor, like Rodger before him, may be doomed before he starts. And this is regardless of whether Town's 11th manager since the turn of the century is a decent appointment or not. Because if you're a messageboard crusader feeling satisfied with yourself after spending most of your recent waking life calling the manager responsible for more than a decade of overachievement by your club a cunt, then just take a moment out from your search for a Kleenex to think about what happens next. After the failure to retain Russell Slade and then the Rodger debacle - not to mention, of course, the catastrophic appointment of Nicky Law beforehand - John Fenty's track record does very little to suggest that he won't make another shit decision about Buckley's replacement. Perhaps Bournemouth and Luton fans shouldn't give up hope after all. Fenty has today submitted to those who choose to support their football club by ejaculating streams of exclamation marks across computer screens - and both he and they will have to take their share of responsibility if the worst should happen.

By contrast, the left of the Pontoon set a sorely needed example on Saturday of what it really means to support a football club, and today's Diary ends by paying tribute to their fantastic dedication and vocal backing. If even half of all Town fans shared their attitude then the club would be in much less than half of its current mess.