Cod Almighty | Diary

Or just another county

6 December 2016

Rise and Shine Diary writes: So who is off to Doncaster then? In years to come this fixture may well hold similar historic and celebrated status as the Stone Roses playing Blackpool Empress Ballroom or England v Netherlands at Wembley in Euro '96. Way more people than could have actually attended will lay claim to have been there.

If nothing else, the 'ticket fiasco' certainly raises more questions than it answers, but – and let's be brutally honest here – most of the questions were more about the devil-playing advocate than genuine issues. Although the club essentially turning law-abiding season ticket holders into touts does leave a bit of a sour taste.

As an exile of many years now I have to pick and choose my (and Nemo's) games based on lots of considerations, but essentially family commitments. Fortunately Mrs Rise and Shine is very understanding and allows us to go along many more times than not, probably content with a bit of quiet time with the dogs. Although she did enjoy her first ever visit to Blundell Park for the opening fixture of this season, and she wears her Operation Promotion and Back in the Football League T-shirts with pride.

If I had a quid for every season ticket holder who offered me and Nemo the chance of tickets then I would have been able to buy a half-time pie and pint for most of the 4,000 going. It's the closest 'big' game (I am discounting recent trips to Halifax and Guiseley) to us geographically in many moons: a straightforward 25-minute train journey away. It's a ground we have visited before, and enjoyed. But we won't be in attendance because of family commitments. We know that, we accept that, and there will be other opportunities.

So does our non-attendance – or any others', come to that – make us any less a supporter? To be quite honest I don't care what your answer is. I follow Town because it's my birthright. It's where I grew up, it's in my blood, my heart and my soul. Fortunately for me Nemo fully understands and will – I have no doubt – continue to do so as he grows older (and wiser?) possibly without me even being there, with friends he has made through following Town.

But this fixture has brought to the forefront the issue of some sort of provision for exiles to attend games more conveniently. I would love nothing more than my own season ticket, as I had as a kid, but it isn't financially viable for us, and potentially precludes others from attending when we are unable to. As regards to the queueing, that precludes way more than just exiles: those who work, have children to look after, or a great long list of other commitments. It's not the Harrods new year sale, for pity's sake. We are well into the 21st century now, folks.

Hopefully all those exiles who want to and can attend will have got tickets and will use the game as a stop-off on their way home for Christmas. Maybe they'll also attend Blundell Park on boxing day and new year's eve for the visits of Accrington Stanley and Blackpool respectively, swelling our own club's coffers. There is also the hope that they will be welcomed with respect and courtesy by the friendly and accommodating South Yorkshire constabulary; but I won't be holding my breath.

Time to get voting for one of our own – following a barren October for Omar, his new lease of life and propensity for hitting the onion bag has him in the running for fourth division player of the month.

Well, what a turn up. On a day when there wasn't expected to be any news coming out of Blundell Park, we get the announcement of Marcus Monday: an opportunity to catch the manager, his assistant Micky Moore and Omar Bogle – a pretty Christmas event for all the local, non-working, uncommitted folks of Grimsby. A fantastic gesture from the club and those individuals involved – don't get me wrong. But it's a school day and it's hardly convenient. Those who can attend could maybe buy additional calendars and get them signed for family and friends?

On a final note, I want to wish all the organisers, contributors and performers on Friday night at the Can You Hear The Grimsby Sing? event all the best. I hope it is a roaring success.