Cod Almighty | Postbag
Carry on Larkin about
4 November 2014
"Quite here" (sic) as some might say, given Town's improved form through October. Nevertheless, a few aspects of Cod Almighty's recent output have caught your attention ...
Putting the spooks up the poets
What other Grimsby Town related web site would come up with the idea to re-write a Philip Larkin poem and make it work so well? Not The Fishy, I think!
On behalf of us pseudo-intellectual and long suffering Town fans, I thank you. As Larkin once said that deprivation was for him what daffodils were for Wordsworth, I would like to think that had he settled on the other bank of the Humber, he might have been a Town fan. Incidentally, as a student at Hull University in the late 70s, I once found myself alone in a lift with Larkin. He looked scared of me!
Thanks for what you do. It's great to know there are other Town fans out there who don't fit, shall we say, the stereotype.
from Tony Smith
Letters Ed responds: Thanks Tony, and watch this space. We have another article exploring the cultural bridges between the Mariners and a significant literary figure coming soon. No, not Charles Ekberg.
Dale Banton is an epoxy polyurethane flooring maker
I hate to nit-pick but I am afraid I must bring to your attention the fact that some of your facts are not actually facts.
This shocking discovery was brought to light when I was discussing Dale Banton with a York City supporting colleague. I remarked that your reputable website had recently suggested that Dale now owns three unisex hair salons around Goole. Well, the girl who sits next to me is adamant that he actually now works for Stonhard UK Ltd in York with her boyfriend. Linked in seems to back this claim up and nobody ever lies on there.
I also have my doubts about it being compulsory in 1986 for football clubs to sign players who had the same hairstyle as their manager. I only started going in 1988 so it may well be true but none of the old boys in the office remember this either.
As major shareholder Fenty would say "Getyourfactsright".
UTM
from Charles Lumley
Letters Ed responds: Consider us corrected. We should also disclose that another of our "Facts!" understates the height of Dave Boylen. The correct figure is 2' 4".
No one said it would be easy. No one said it would be this hard
My favourite quote from the non-chairman, responding to UKIP's proposed location for a new stadium: "This is not as simple as coming out of Europe, or stopping immigration, the club has been attempting to relocate since 1994. Yes, 20 years"
As Scunny are heading for their second new ground, should the SUFC directors stand for parliament or sort out the Middle East peace process?
from Richard Bedwell
Letters Ed responds: Have we actually considered the possibility that John Fenty is actually the slightly less adroit brother of Alan Partridge?
Hung-up?
Dear Miss Guest Diary,
Not sure why you have a hang-up about the formation Hurst plays. You forgot to mention in your article dated 3rd November that Town's biggest away away win for many years came at Gateshead where we played 4-5-1. Germany played the same system against Brazil (with Miroslav Klose as the sole striker) and got 7! If you study the team formations on any Saturday's edition of Match Of The Day you'll probably note that nearly every team plays with a sole striker.
The game has moved on (even if Cod Almighty hasn't), and as long as you have a strong midfield which wins possession and creates chances, it really doesn't matter.
One final point - last season, West Ham played away at Spurs with a formation of 4-6-0. That's right - not a single striker in the team. The result? West Ham's best away performance of the seaon winning 3-0.
from Kevin Hand
Letters Ed responds: Miss Guest Diary replies: "I don't feel I have a hang up - I just like to be entertained at a football match and what we saw on Saturday wasn't entertaining. Also I think comparing Town to Germany and John-Lewis to Klose is more than a bit ludicrous."
Our thanks to Tony, Charles, Richard and Kevin. Get your letters in via our feedback page.