Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 12 October 2012

12 October 2012

Mardy Diary writes: Anthony Elding is a cross man. He is angry that some fans have had a go at him and he doesn't like it. This is essentially what he has told Radio Humberside. Elding suggests the abusers speak with him directly if they have a problem with him.

Now, I was at Alfreton and near Elding when the alleged incident happened. I didn't hear anything from fans or see Elding's reaction either, so it all seems a bit of bother over nothing to me. I'm assuming that those (one or two) fans who did shout abuse at him did it fairly directly from the side of the stand anyway, so I'm not sure how much more directly he wants to speak to them. I'm guessing outside, in the car park maybe?

There was an audible groan from the crowd when Elding fluffed his big chance - I know because I contributed to it - but I don't think that can be termed as abuse. Alongside this I heard plenty of fans shouting encouragement to Elding so I think that sort of balances things out.

All said, and while I don't see the benefit in our own fans having a go at our own players, I think Elding needs to get over himself a bit. If you're going to do the badge-kissy, fist-pumpy routine favoured by yer modern footballer then you shouldn't really be surprised when people take agin you when you want out only a few months later. Yes, football fans are fickle - but so are football players. Including Anthony 'Twelve Clubs' Elding.

Certainly given Elding's actions over the last few months, I would say he's got off fairly lightly. I've seen players get far more abuse for far less. Notably, a rather rotund Hallam FC goalkeeper who got 45 minutes of solid abuse from two blokes in front of me at a match against Sheffield FC. He kept his cool until the end of the match before turning round, identifying me as the culprit and offering me outside for a fight. I politely declined and went to the pub.

I also remember a match under Paul Groves' management where a fan behind me spent 90 minutes giving Groves personal abuse which was completely unjust. I don't recall the game but we were probably losing 1-0 at home to Birmingham or fucking Man Utd or something. I don't recall ever seeing the fan at another match before or after that game. I do recall calling him a prick.

The best thing Elding can do is take his chances when he has them and consistently show that he gives a fuck while he's still being paid by Grimsby Town. If he wants to go elsewhere and that chance arises - fine. But for now he's a Grimsby player. Get your head down Elding and just give the mouth a rest. We've heard it all before.