Cod Almighty | Diary

Whatever happens, we'll be Town, not Tigers

9 August 2013

Proceedings at Blundell Park tomorrow will get under way with a minute's applause for Kevin Moore. The new season will thus begin in a kind of symmetry with the conclusion of the last: the sad news of Kev's death was conveyed the day after the 2012-13 campaign ended. As our Diary noted on the eve of the last season, we have had 130-odd new seasons, and remembering the many that Moore lit up is entirely appropriate, both as a tribute to one of Grimsby's greatest ever players and to keep the action that follows in perspective. Hold on to the expectations you feel now. Barring something awful, you will feel the same expectations next season, whatever league we are competing in. Enjoy the trip, whatever the destination.

As our match preview makes clear, the recent experiences of our opponents put most problems into perspective. While Andy Scott wonders what team he will put out, his younger brother is able to declare that he has a full Mariners squad to choose from. Normally, one would say that a weighting of circumstances in our favour could only go one way – a numbing home defeat – but season's eve banishes such negativity.

Finally, no matter how badly things may go over the next few months, you can be grateful that you do not support Hull City Tigers. The non-club who play at Milton Keynes bear the mark of the crime they committed in their name – making those who follow them wilful accessories after the fact. But some supporters have made vows to clubs which the inanities of their owners do not dissolve.