Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 13 September 2011

13 September 2011

With the first team not in action until the weekend at Stockport, your West Yorkshire Diary's attention turns to the youth team as they prepare to face Notts County tonight in the illuminated cup competition specifically for teams from landlocked towns. The game will be played at Blundell Park and for some of our yoofs it'll be the first time they've played on the hallowed turf - which is looking suspiciously long this season. Youth coach Robbie Stockdale caught young forward Dayle Southwell eating potato-based snacks from a blue packet (or green, if they're from the Leicester company) and was overheard asserting: "If you're well enough to eat salt and vinegar crisps, you're well enough to play football!"

So Southwell, who has first-team experience of course, comes back into the squad for tonight's match after recovering from that time when an opposition player's boot went through his face. It kicks off at 7pm and costs just £3 to enter. So rather than waste your time watching players on TV laughably form a line to listen to the Champions League opera tune as if it were a national anthem, get yourself down to Blundell Park and cheer the boys on.

As you know, your CA diarists enjoy nothing more than having a look and a giggle at some of the names coming through the youth team ranks - and while there seems nothing overtly funny about 'Falconer' it's prompted me to remember that Town have, on occasions, made some completely pointless signings over the years. Who could forget 2002's transfer deadline day signing Willie Falconer, for example? Well, most of us, I'd imagine, which proves my point. That was an instantly forgettable signing. I have a vague recollection of him starting for us at Birmingham, where we got spanked. Bryan Hughes from last season is almost in the same category, but at least Town fans knew who he was. Any more for any more, as my mum would say? Let us know and remind us of some forgotten gems.

In 2002 the Mariners stood alongside Stockport in the second division, although to be truthful the Hatters were bloody awful that year with Carlton Palmer in charge. Now the two teams stand side by side, 15th and 16th, in the Football Conference. They might have a former German international and Champions League winner in charge at Edgeley Park but Dietmar Hamann couldn't help his side beat us the last time we crossed paths. And he isn't in control of events off the pitch either, as the club remains in a spot of bother. I wonder if he recalls that night at Anfield? Maybe our excellent away fans could make up an inventive way of asking him on Saturday through the mode of song? Anyway, if you're like me and you're already thinking about our next game because we won our last, then the official website has prepared tickets and travel news especially for us.

Now, I'm not saying this ever happened, but if any Town fans ever sang "There's only one Danny Boshell" then they may have been incorrect. I say "may" because I'm a bit confused myself. It seems there's a really good Danny Boshell playing for Bradford Park Avenue these days, but our Danny Boshell plays for Guiseley in the Conference North. Two Danny Boshells? I had a look at Bradford Park Avenue's squad list and that gives me a Nicky Boshell, just to confuse matters. Anyway, the reason I've been lurking around on the Bradford Park Avenue website is to check how Justin Whittle's North Ferriby United got on there last night. The Sarge is in temporary charge of the Villagers after their manager John Anderson resigned recently. BPA won 1-0 and Town yoofer Sam Mulready started but was subbed off late in the game.

Lastly today, I came across another old name as I was wandering through Twitter last night. Danny North came off the bench to score an equaliser in St Pat's home game against Shamrock Rovers which keeps them (just) in the hunt for the Irish title. Danny's got 15 goals in 24 starts this season and his overall record for the club of 22 in 42 is impressive. Nice to see a home grown lad forge a career for himself elsewhere in a way that means he can't score against us.