Cod Almighty | Diary

The dead are as dead as Nineteen-Thirty-Eight

3 April 2014

Your original/regular Diary gets to spend very slightly longer than usual on today's missive, as it's too smoggy to go out for my lunchtime constitutional. Yay, capitalism!

3-4-3 was the formation Russell 'Sort It' Sladeses tried to introduce when he became Grimsby Town manager in 2004, after using it with some success at Scarborough beforehand. It didn't work, so he reverted to 4-4-2. Ten years down the line, GTFC and the Grimsby Telegraph are honouring this glorious chapter in the club's history with a 3-4-3 – a super junior ticket offer whereby your little 'un can see the Mariners' next three home games for just £3.

"You can only take advantage of this latest Magnificent Seven offer only with a voucher from the Telegraph," explains Town's newly superb new official website, if 'explain' is the right word, given the complete absence of any thematic link between the offer and 'Magnificent Seven' other than a picture of some players wearing cowboy hats and things.

Confused? I am.

So how are we set for Kidderminster on Saturday? Now that Liam Hearn is as much a part of the past as Russell Slade, Town's only injury concern is over Craig Disley. The Mariners' captain and leading scorer is doubtful for the trip to home-made cottage pie capital Aggborough after getting hamstring things and a kick at Wrexham the other night. That'll be a Kerr/Thanoj midfield at Kiddy, then, one assumes, though it'd be harsh to see Paddy McLoughlin out in the cold again after his match-winning return at the Racecourse.

It is still the Racecourse, isn't it? Oh, look – Disley's alright after all!

And finally, the career of Chris Jones at Grimsby Town may not have been a memorable one, but it was a fine thing yesterday to be reminded of his solitary goal in Mariners colours. Before being substituted at half-time as Town crashed to a home defeat against Burton Albion in 2009, Jones at least managed to channel the spirit of 1997 Steve Livingstone by scoring a goal with his arse. Thankyou to those of you who tweeted us after yesterday's Diary was published to nominate Jones' rearguard action as your favourite strange goal. Our favourite, though? That'd be this beauty! Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time.