Cod Almighty | Postbag
In the bleak midwinter
28 December 2014
Could David Neilson have been a contender? Is Steve Bierley too hard on Paul Hurst? Just how much better was Paul Futcher than John Terry? All these questions, and more, answered below...
Another might have been
I'm just amazed that David Nielsen didn't even get a nomination for the 'Could have been a contender XI'. He was the one decent foreign signing that Lennie Lawrence made.
For a short period he lit up Blundell Park with blistering pace, flamboyant skills and some spectacular goals. It was only a matter of time before he signed permanently, but as time went by it was clear that something had gone wrong with the negotiations and then he left.
I genuinely thought he could have been a world beater and he was playing for Town! He subsequently proved me wrong, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.
from Andy Ecelson
Letters Ed responds: Count that a missed opportunity Andy. Get your nominations in for the Erratic XI before it is too late
Remembering Sid Wheelhouse
Recently on BBC Radio 5 live there was a short piece about the former Grimsby Town captain Sid Wheelhouse.
It was a moving four minutes that my father would have listened to and found an emotional challenge. He would reel off the names of the players of the 1910-15 eras just as we recall the players in the magnificent teams of the thirties, fifties and beyond. He always had a special word for Wheelhouse and Arrowsmith the full backs. “Wheelhouse was killed in the war you know…..”
from Neville Butt
Verse and worse
Lets hope that Steve's latest piece induces a run of form from Town similar to the one that his last one inspired. My last critique seems to have fallen on stony ground, so I'll try a different approach this time in the form of verse....
Steve Bierley, Steve Bierley,
I think you're wrong about Hurst -
But on Fenty you see clearly!
from Lee Johnson
Letters Ed responds: This letters page is being compiled during the Lincolnshire derby. Another Steve Bierley piece may be on its way
Season's greetings I
I'd just like to wish all at CA Towers a very Happy Christmas and a promotional New Year (If you know what I mean). Its always a good read whichever diarist may write, news or no news.
I missed the Forest Green game due to party time but the revellers knew Town had won believe me. On that note I'm pleased I'll get the chance to pay my respects to Peter Furneaux. He was not a man I knew personally but one I feel was Grimsby through and through.
from Sibbo
Season's greetings II
Greetings from North Norfolk.
Many thanks to all at Cod Almighty for keeping us informed/amused/entertained, and for occasionally extending our vocabulary. I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a New Year which will propel us all to the heights of ecstasy.
Best wishes,
from David Elvidge
Fond thoughts from Manchester
As a left footed young man of a certain age I always fancied myself as a Paul Agnew, Gary Croft or Dave Gilbert. At the end of the day I was just lucky I was left footed and keen.
Mark Lever, Peter Handyside, Paul Futcher... When they praise a centre half on Match of the Day like John Terry or Ron Vlaar, I instantly think of Handyside or Futcher.
Supporting Grimsby Town used to be about a club punching well above their weight. Now I don't care and love it that Alty is a 20 minute walk. Moss Lane is a nice day out. I am even going to Barnet in January. I have embraced all these grounds and for the first time in a long time really get a buzz out of watching Town.
As a fella that has not been to a home game in five years and lives close to Old Trafford. I really appreciate how lucky I was that my Dad, as a Red, took me to El Parc Blundell.
from Al Haigh
Thanks for all your letters. To contact Cod Almighty, use our feedback page