Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 3 December 2008

3 December 2008

Idle Diary writes... How do, comrades! Bit nippy out today, don't you think? I tell you though, the chill was broken at 7:30 this morning to see a van with "Nigel Ellis, Fishmonger, Fresh Grimsby Fish" on it parked up near my place. No sign of Nigel nearby so I could find out if he'd driven all the way over from Grimmo, but it was heart warming nonetheless.

Despite Guv'nor PI not knowing nuffin' about it, the hearts of many Town fans are being warmed by the merest suggestion of "Grimsby Town transfer target" Robbie Fowler joining the 23rd all-time most successful league club. Heed this warning though, as a cautionary tale wings our way from the Cardiff-supporting punk-pop-star Helen Love:

"Robbie Fowler, well there's a moneygrabbing evil little bastard.

"25k a week, 16 games, never lasted 90 minutes, 6 goals - I think most were penalties, out on the town pissed up most weekends, couldn't run more than 10 yards, bright red cheeks, puffing like Thomas The Tank Engine, and walking round with his hands on hips trying to get his breath back.

"Yes we sold 8,000 shirts, so that paid his wages for a month, but he really is shot to pieces. Every week we were told by Dave Jones that he looks sharp in training which has become a running joke on the Cardiff City messageboards. Funnily enough Ince has said exactly the same thing. I would say the odds on him joining you are high. The odds on him leaving within 6 months even higher."

Despite that many of you will still be saving the planet and your gas bills rubbing you hands together in eager anticipation. I'm not even entertaining the idea of Fowler joining - Fenty's open admission a signal of failed ambition, but ambitious nonetheless - and find the news that Town are offering of a contract to left-sided attacking midfielder Mickael Buscher far more exciting. While a step down in terms of pant exploding excitement, the move is certainly an affirmative step forward in bolstering squad numbers, and more in tune with what we Mariners are familiar with. Whether Buscher is an abject failure, along the lines of John Thorrington, or a gem dug out of nowhere, like Dave Gilbert, only time will tell. As Town fans we have always lived in uncertain times, friends.