Cod Almighty | Diary
Pillars of salt
12 May 2017
Devon Diary writes: It’s been a busy old week here at Cod Almighty Towers. After last Saturday’s final game of the season we settled in to await the news of who would be retained and who would be released; who would be courted to sign a new contract and who would be shown the door.
Before we learnt that though, we had the small matter of the one year anniversary of Podge and Omar achieving what seemed impossible last season: scoring against Bloody Braintree. We were fashionably late with our celebration piece but when it did arrive everyone was delighted to read the words of Amond himself as he recounted to our very own Peter Anderson how he’d been assisted by the Iron’s goalkeeping coach. Podge had been moved to get in touch after reading Ron Counte’s earlier article in which he'd imagined an alternative reality where our trusty hitman had missed and we’d gone on to lose.
All of this was but a distraction from the week’s big news; the big, dark, crushing news that we wouldn’t be offering another contract to the club’s beating heart and soul, Craig Disley.
I really can’t add anything to this that wasn’t nailed so perfectly by Wicklow on Wednesday, ably followed by Middle-Aged Diary suggesting where Diz might fit in our history of midfield leaders. Suffice to say, we’ve probably all been a little surprised as to just how affecting it has been to lose a player who led both his teammates and fans, on and off the pitch. We’ll miss him.
Anyway, it's been an emotional week and you want me to take your mind off all this, right? Come on then, I’ll give it a go.
While we reminded ourselves of Podge’s incredible nerve at Cressing Road, the man himself was coming to terms with his current employers, Hartlepool, being relegated to the Conference. Those with not an ounce of self-awareness, tact or class hid behind their keyboards and witty pseudonyms to taunt him from afar, while the rest of us, being far better than that, commiserated and wished him all the best.
The news of their demise and Amond's public affection for his former skipper and confirmation he'd be back for the just announced testimonial, gave rise to suggestions from a number of Town fans that Amond could do worse than return to Blundell Park for a tilt at promotion with 'Slades' at the helm. A rumour then circulated on that Twitter that there might even be a clause in his contract allowing him to walk away in the event of the Monkey Hangers’ relegation.
I can’t comment on that of course but the thought of Podge returning for a second stint with us, and of course the gaffer already being back for more, makes me think about the players (and managers) who have left only to return for second and even third spells in North East Lincs.
Yes, that's right, it’s time-wasting Friday, folks. Throw down your pens/trowels/screwdrivers/spanners, pour yourself a cuppa and help us pull together a team – or maybe a squad – of those chaps who’ve ignored advice to not look back.
Slades is there as a starter but I’m also going to give you local lad and defender Matt Bloomer who enjoyed three spells with us: 1997-2001; a loan in 2006 and then a return under Buckley in 2007. Of course, he now finds himself heading to Wembley with our neighbours Cleethorpes Town so good look with that, Matt!
Right you lot, crack on. Drop us a line or just reply below the Twitter post. Suggest a whole team or one player at a time; successful or disastrous, it’s up to you.
See you next week. UTM