Cod Almighty | Diary
A tracksuit isn't really a suit, is it?
18 December 2013
Your London Diary was supposed to have an early night last night, but got so enthralled in Alan Buckley's autobiography that I stayed up later than I should have done to finish it. You're right, it really is rock 'n' roll in the capital.
I'm probably younger than most of the other diaries (I'm not sorry, blame my parents), so I remember Alan Buckley's most recent turn at the club more than his two previous stints. I was at Wembley back in 98 (as a 14-year-old) and I knew he was obviously a good manager – but bloody hell, I didn't realise how bloody good he was. There's no denying that the ex-gaffer had a rollercoaster of a life and some of the stories do tug on your heartstrings. His relationship with Arthur Mann is a particularly strong backbone of the book, which had me doing all sorts of research this morning trying to find out more about the Scottish assistant. Stories of his early days as a player at Forest and Walsall are as interesting as the times at Blundell Park, and really make you understand how much of a football brain we had in our midst, and sadly, who we let go too many times.
Truly a cracking read, and a massive shout out to Paul Thundercliffe too for making it so good that you don't want to put it down. If you're a younger Town fan then I urge you to get hold of a copy of Pass and Move and give your eyes a lovely workout. It really is an absolute gem of a book for any Grimsby fan.
As if by magic, this has just popped up on my social media feed. Get down to Blundell Park tomorrow and see the man-legend in person.
One of the themes throughout the book is of Buckley's relationship with various board members throughout his time at the various clubs he managed. Now, obviously this is just one side of the story but some of the tales make you seriously angry as a supporter, knowing that these things are happening behind the scenes at a club that you continue to support week after week.
It happens at most clubs around the world with board members trying to interfere with the football aspect at a football club. You appoint a football manager because they know best about what works on a football pitch with 11 players. They've probably spent years playing as a player, usually hauling themselves and their families up and down the country with varying degrees of success. They've spent time working for their badges in order to become a manager. No manager or coach would want to try and intervene with the P&L of a club as that's not their area of expertise, so why would a suit think he can wear a tracksuit? Stick to your Excel and let the boss excel on the pitch.
Board members have probably spent years working in a different industry, slogging away for endless hours to support their business, with most of them making millions because of their long hours and commitment. You can't take that away from them. Well done. But to then take that hard-earned money and mix it with pleasure is a gamble you shouldn't be taking with hundreds of years of history at stake. You want a hobby? Go and buy a railway set and be your own fat controller.
John McDermott's book also touched on this with one moment in his autobiography that had me seething, when a board member who will remain nameless treated Sir John in a way he should never have been treated after nearly 20 years serving the club he calls home. Pathetic. Modern football is toss.
I've found the solution though. I'm going to become chairman. That's right, your London Diary is going to run for chairman of Grimsby Town Football Club plc. A few of you might be wondering what previous experience I've had in the business world. Well, more of that in the New Year, but as a taster let me tell you that I won Young Enterprise Director of the Year in 2002 (Grimsby area). Let that sink in for a while. The campaign starts after Christmas once I've taken these presents back and set up a Kickstarter campaign.
You're all behind me, right? Good? Now get raiding your kids' piggy banks. We're doing this. UTM!