Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 18 January 2013

18 January 2013

Mardy Diary writes: So the least surprising news is that the the Braintree match is postponed, and I'm guessing it won't be the only game affected throughout the leagues this weekend. There have been cries about winter breaks from some quarters, but this doesn't really make sense when you consider that it could snow any time from October through to March. Besides, games being postponed isn't some new phenomenon - I'm really struggling to see why so many people are getting over-excited about it. Are there generations of football supporters out there who've never seen snow before, or is it another case of the media creating a drama from nothing?

One person who seems unperturbed, thankfully, is Rob Scott. He's mellowed a bit lately, hasn't he? As Rob correctly points out, Town have several free midweeks between now and the end of the season and even if they get filled with games, he thinks "we'll be alright". But Rob, how will these footballers cope with an unprecedented two games a week?

Other unsurprising news is that Louis Soares has left the club to join Alfreton - on loan until the end of the season, but given that his contract expires this summer we're unlikely to see him back at Town. Sometimes these things just don't work out and I don't think this is really any fault of the club or the player. He always looked like he could be good and his history before joining Town looked promising, but he rarely showed what he could do when he played.

Possibly joining Soares in leaving the club will be Elding (please!), Greg Pearson and Artus. All three have found themselves down the pecking order at the club due to other signings, with Elding actually dropping off the pecking order and placed at the top of the non-pecking order. Scott has said that, at least with Pearson and Artus, it's an opportunity for them to get some games given their lack of appearances, but they will also consider a permanent deal if it suits the club and the player.

Steve Evison has sent us an email in response to Middle-Aged Diary's piece on legendary goalkeepers on Tuesday. Steve says: "While balking at the middle-aged tag, I reluctantly accepted the conclusion I must be of the same vintage as Middle-Aged Diary given his GTFC goalkeeping references - like mine - began with Harry Wainman. I too started attending matches as the gloves were being handed over to the headstrong but brave and talented Nigel Batch, and HW retired to focus on his Freeman Street sports shop - what a thrill as a child to actually see the great man in his store!

"I'd add one more name to the list of great goalkeepers seen in a Mariners yellow/green jersey," Steve continues, "albeit for a limited period: that of Dave Beasant - a truly 'proper' keeper who was loaned to us by Chelsea in 1992 after a couple of high-profile mistakes in a game against Norwich led to Ian Porterfield saying he would never play for the club again. As I remember it, he played behind a back four of McDermott, Lever, Futcher and Croft and helped inspire a tremendous run for the team that included the illustrious win at Newcastle (the Dobbin game) and had a great rapport with the fans."

"On the subject of goalkeepers and the Goalkeepers are Different book (also a childhood read in the 70s), this new book was published just a couple of weeks ago - and, if you haven't already read it, the Robert Enke book is a tremendous account of a troubled spirit between the sticks." Thanks for that, Steve.

Alan Dickens is another one who remembers Wainman: "Just read your interesting article about Town's keepers and brought back happy sunny Saturday afternoon memories (always seemed sunny when you're a kid) in the Osmond (before it became the 'away' end) throwing sweets to Harry Wainman. He spent nearly all pre-match kick-ins picking them up from the six-yard box - a far cry from today's intensive keeper warm-ups". There's a good half-time entertainment idea for the reserve keepers.

Finally, it's good to see Rob Jones' leadership skills have landed him a permanent coaching position at Donny Rovers, but judging by the picture here, the Donny chairman's going to need a chiropractor for his neck. Have a good weekend.