Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 19 April 2011

19 April 2011

There's this guy I know, let's call him Simon, who along with his mates and some of their mates, and then with people they didn't know, decided to get together late last year to talk about something they thought wasn't right. Now all these people, and there's about a good 20 of them, they were from a number of businesses, from across the city they worked in. They had a big chat and realised that although they may not agree eye to eye on little details, they would all agree they should put aside their differences, agendas, their politics and their egos to work together for the common good. Any "holes in knowledge" or experience would be recognised and help sought. But together they would work for a common good. That common good was making something better than it was, raising from the shambles it was, to not create something new, but to improve what was already there and sustain that improvement for something that the local people would be proud.

These people agreed up front they would not make public any disagreements, they would work democratically, and the focus would always be on improvement, connecting, and engagement. It didn't take much. It seemed sensible to not subvert the aims with airing "closed air" chats. In the main these people were sensible thinking men, and the few that were known for impulsive actions? It was made sure they wouldn't be in positions where this would be dangerous, and if they were they would be prepared and controlled. All along they remembered their goal. All along. And they still remember. And they are still making progress. Some people come, some people go, but the simple agreements up front and the goal - always remembered. The common good: improvement, progression.

I say this on the day we remember the events at Wembley 13 years ago, when Town beat Bournemouth on a day as fabulous as this, when the club were sniffing promotion from the third division, and we supported a club that seemed pretty much united. There was the odd dissenter about the board (probably Bill Carr), but you couldn't argue that the club pretty much worked that season for the greater good. Board action was kept in-house, everyone involved with the club moved towards the greater good. But above all the board led by example.

And look at Grimsby Town Football Club today. Graceless is the politest way of describing it, a fucking mess is the more blunt approach. And while Fenty, Furneaux (still lurking the shadows bad mouthing "the likes of Parker" we hear, you sinister little cunt) and co aren't quite at the levels of Harold Ballard, those at the top, those supposedly guiding are more content to do their rumour spreading, discussions through the media. We've levelled it before and we'll level it again: it's small town businessman mentality.

You've put your money into the club, and at times as a financial "correction facility" (the three year deal for the now-unwanted Serge Makofo a case in point), but let's not make out this is benevolence from, say, Fenty. Sooner or later that money will be withdrawn from the club one way or another. Irrespective of whether the fans support the board's decisions, the board must make decisions that lead by example. The shambles over recruiting the latest managerial team would be forgotten it it wasn't for the misery of watching yet another clear out. Yet another remit from the board to "do whatever it takes". Can we just stop this fucking madness please?

Sorry, another Tuesday, another Idle Diary mumbling on about the Vicious Cycle of GTFC. But given the way I've been able to play a part in changing attitudes and help galvanise a group of people in the city I work, taken on board criticism, and able to handle it politically, I am scratching my head how Fenty - a local councillor for fuck's sake! - can't show the same decorum, control, and appreciation of his limitations than a hot-headed gobshite like myself. On Saturday, while Town were fucking up yet again (comedy half time text from Mr Tony Butcher stated "we can still draw it from here!"), I was part of a movement that is driven towards a greater good. It's not that hard, it really isn't, to just get the basics right and show some fucking professionalism.

Anyway, there's a game tonight at Mansfield. Rob Duffy can't play against his former team, bizarre given how long ago we signed him. Couldn't care for the result to be honest so I haven't looked any further. Not something I would have thought I'd have said 13 years ago, or even 14 years ago when Town were on the brink of relegation under Kenny Swain after a pitiful season. Hey ho, eh. Limp to the end and see what happens in the summer, and all that. Start again, again.

In the classifieds corner a note from Jason Ives about a course they are doing down at Playsport with Jonnie Rowan, a football development programme for kids from five to fifteen years of age. We're always glad to promote the work of people like Jase and also linger for a moment on the nearly men of Town's recent history, which Rowan was.

And finally, as I finish off this Town's reserves have reached half time in their last fixture of the season against Leeds United. The score is currently 2-2, and if the stiffs go on to win it I'll do a cartwheel in the middle of Leeds on my way home. Possibly no cartwheels for Town youngster Tom Corner, when the final whistle will mark the end of his career with the Mariners. All the best, Tom. Hope you go on to prove them wrong to let you go.