Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 1 July 2009

1 July 2009

Peter Sweeney news! 2:04pm 1 July 2009 AD! Peter Sweeney news! And it's good news, as the Leeds midfielder says: "There's a very high percentage I will be a Grimsby player soon - it's a case of when, not if, for me." In a rare exclusive for the Grimsby Telegraph (which, like most local papers hobbled by their greedy owners' budget cuts, is increasingly forced to do most of its 'journalism' by copying and pasting press releases and looking at the internet), Sweeney reveals that "I have spoken to Mike Newell a few times and while there have been other clubs interested, he's the only manager I've talked to. As far as I'm concerned, Grimsby is the number one choice." The only obstacle between Sweens and balmy Blundell Park seems to be the settlement of the outstanding year on his contract and loyalty bonuses and all that, which ought to be just a matter of time, since Leeds boss Simon Grayson has gone out of his way not to stand in the way of the move. So, all looking good, then - except that every day of intense, minute-by-minute, rolling news ticker media coverage of the proposed transfer is another day that Scunthorpe can stick their bloody oar in.

There has long been an element of the Mariners' support that seems to believe a forward who averages less than a goal every two games must necessarily be complete shit. Last season some fans were already losing patience with the excellent Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, just as they meted out abuse before him to such fine players as Tony Rees, Neil Woods and even Gary Jones. Steve Livingstone, by contrast, took all of ten years to score 50 goals for Town but is worshipped like a big pointy-elbowed god - which is why both the club and its supporters are all of a flutter that the FORMER frontman has returned to Cleethorpes for the first time since his spell as a player there ended in 2003. As an even bigger Livvo explains in a long, and thoroughly enjoyable free Mariners World interview, he's brought his son Jed (16) for a trial with the youth team, but also retains fond memories of his time with the club, when Town could mostly hold their own at Blundell Park against the bigger names of the second division. "They thought they were above all this, and we thought: 'We'll show you!'" recalls Livvo. You certainly showed Shaun Teale, Steve!

Chris Jones' three first-team starts and 14 substitute appearances for Swansea City and Cambridge United are yet to yield a goal, but that's not to say that the 19-year-old frontman won't turn out to be at least as prolific as Steve Livingstone. Jones is on trial with the Mariners from Swansea, where he has rejected a new contract after slipping out of the first-team picture under previous manager Roberto Martinez. "Swansea are said to have turned down offers from two Premiership clubs to sign the player in the past," claims Town's superb new official website, brazenly contradicting the Swans' official site, which states clearly that the player himself rejected approaches from top-flight sides in order to sign his first professional contract with the Welsh side in 2006.

"Greetings from your north Norfolk correspondent," writes David Elvidge in an email to the Diary. "Yesterday was Hunstanton Carnival and the best yet, with glorious hot sunshine. 'So what the hell has that to do with Town?' I hear you cry. Well, to my astonishment I spotted what I thought was a Town shirt. Was this a mirage or the first indication of heatstroke? No, it was real and the young chap wearing it was accompanied by an older bloke (dad?) sporting a Mariners baseball cap. We promptly got into conversation and concluded that the sun would indeed shine on our beloved team in the forthcoming season. My recommendation was sought as to a suitable watering hole, given the high temperature and need to keep hydrated, There was of course only one place worthy of their custom - the Ancient Mariner at Old Hunstanton, which always has an extensive selection of real ales. That leads me to suggest that Diary readers, in an attempt to while away the dog days between now and the start of next season might usefully suggest pubs with a Town connection. I've started the ball rolling with the Ancient Mariner. Over to you, Diary readers." You heard the man: diary@codalmighty.com is the address.