Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 19 November 2012

19 November 2012

Miss Guest Diary writes: Another Saturday, another win: that's three in a row I've witnessed. It's certainly given me back my enthusiasm for supporting Town - to such an extent that we have arranged a trip north for a few days next month to see the Gateshead game. Of course, with the pessimism that comes naturally to me now that I have been living with a native of Cleethorpes for over 20 years, I am anticipating that, by then, Town will have suffered a humiliating defeat by Buxton and achieved only a dismal draw at Ebbsfleet. So I will also be organising some cultural and culinary treats in the Newcastle area to compensate for any deficiencies in the football.

It appears that last Friday's evening with Lawrie McMenemy organised by the Mariners Trust was a great success, raising over £2,500 for the club's youth set-up. Judging by the comments I saw on Twitter, it was also very enjoyable.

That sort of evening doesn't appeal to me so I decided instead show my support for the trust by visiting their bar at Blundell Park before Saturday's game. It was a mixed experience. The place is clean and bright, the service good and there is quite a bit of seating. However, with all the seating around the walls and huge TV screens everywhere, it felt more like a hospital waiting room than somewhere to socialise. And it was sufficiently cold to cause me to keep my coat on. If the temperature is that low on a relatively mild autumn day, I dread to think what it will be like in the depths of winter. All in all, it seems more of a place for a swift drink before the game than somewhere to spend an hour mulling over Town's prospects with a group of friends. I suspect it'll be back to the Rutland Arms for us next week, despite the sub-standard beer and poor service which has been the experience of late. Unless someone out there can suggest a better alternative.

The NSNOS continue to tease us, well me really, with announcements of who will play in the fund-raising challenge match next week. This time they go so far as to print a picture of Wayne Burnett but do not name him, referring coyly instead to "another Wembley hero". I fully expect them to keep this up until the last minute, then announce that the additional player is Daryl Clare.

I promised myself I wouldn't mention Town's position in the table because it's only November and it feels too much like counting our chickens. But I can't help myself: Town are top of the league! Or as one miserable pedant accurately pointed out on Twitter: we are actually top of the non-league. It still feeds good though, doesn't it?