Cod Almighty | Diary

Praise Harry for Hurst, Neilson and McKeown

20 May 2014

Your Middle-Aged Diary isn't capable of much beyond incoherent rage today. (You at the back who muttered: "What's new?", leave the room immediately.)

David Conn, as so often, skewers precisely the organisational whitewashing and institutional hypocrisy with which Richard Scudamore has been cleared to go on with his job, enriching the already rich, while the whistleblower is blamed. Hypocrisy because there is a distinct note about this of 'Every chap deserves a second chance', unless of course the person in question is not a 'chap'.

To be a chap, you not only need male genitalia, but a certain level of income and influence. As Marina Hyde pointed out last week, Scudamore did not extend the tolerance and understanding he has enjoyed to Supporters Direct after a few intemperate remarks in a private email, immediately deleted, after the joyful occasion of AFC Wimbledon's return to the Football League.

The Premier League, as Conn says, likes to paint itself as a model of modern, forward-thinking, professional decision-making, in contrast to the amateurish shambles that preceded it, and would follow if fans were allowed too near the centres of influence.

And yet. After the anniversary of the Valley Parade fire was almost entirely ignored on the final day of the Premier League season (I heard that the match between Sunderland and Swansea was an honourable exception), it was a fans' initiative that ensured the 56 victims of the fire were remembered during the FA Cup final.

For those who like to see football as a refuge from politics, and regard our occasional asides on Cod Almighty as an intrusion, my apologies. However, when today's politicians parrot their phrases about "hard-working families", it is impossible to discern what vision of a good life they have. Certainly working hard at rewarding jobs is a value, but so is devoting time to family and friends and activities that bring no monetary gain but enrich lives. Things like coaching young children or helping to run amateur clubs or supporters' trusts. If the Premier League believes it is taking decisions for the wider good of the game, it would be interesting to learn how it  defines 'good'.

A note of thankfulness. We have two people (at least) employed at Grimsby Town who, amid this mire, are actually bringing the game into good repute.

First, there is Paul Hurst. Reading the comments of players both leaving Blundell Park and staying, it is becoming apparent that this season's contract negotiations are actually being conducted in a way that combines professionalism and humanity. No-one is being bad-mouthed, no-one is having their good faith questioned, even if they don't like the results of those negotiations. A small thing, in some eyes, but it seems to be creating an environment in which, to adopt the cliché, the players want to play for the manager. The good news today is that Scott Neilson has plighted his troth to the Mariners for another year.

The second is James McKeown, who today provides further insights into a lot of good things happening at Grimsby across three articles on the Telegraph site. The reasons he has given for staying at Blundell Park should maybe be read by every politician and football administrator who thinks that pursuit of the bottom line is the only consideration in life.

There is, however, a problem. One of the articles is headlined "magnificent Macca". "Magnificent" is well-earned, but the nickname Macca was long ago retired for Sir John. We need a new, and unique nickname for our number one. Suggestions please.