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Another SLO news day

16 January 2018

It takes a real flair for the absurd to keep coming up with new ways to make Grimsby Town look like a complete shit-show and so whichever creative spark came up with today's ad for a new supporters' liaison officer ought to get some real recognition. A shame really that the British Comedy Awards are now defunct.

Now, most of you will probably remember that the club only recently appointed a SLO. It was barely a month ago. So what's happening? Easy. Read today's posting and you will see that this is in fact a second SLO – one who will attend away games. 

Your Devon Diary wonders if this should have been a stipulation of the original vacancy – but of course there was no vacancy; the club made an internal appointment without even having the decency to inform the incumbent SLO, Kris Green, that they were replacing her. I guess, then, that our club has progressed a little in that respect. This time the current SLO knows about the new role! 


Actually, it wasn't really that long ago that we would have asked Sir John McDermott to do it, in addition to coaching eight youth teams, changing the bulbs in the floodlights while still being our best defender – all for ten bob a week.

It's also worth noting that the role is "subject to the Club Code of Conduct", which I must admit I have not read, but am guessing it means you have to be willing to take part in public bullying of journalists as and when required by the board. It is also subject to "not being a member of any pressure groups". Now, what the board is angling at here is anybody's guess. Take a look at Wikipedia's list of UK pressure groups and ask yourself why Greenpeace, Amnesty International or Surfers Against Sewage might be seen as a problem by John Fenty or that surly bean-counter chap. If you can think of any reasons, sarcastic or serious, then let us know.

Don't let me put you off though, and ignore the incredulity and anger being voiced by many fans at today's announcement. If you fancy throwing your hat in the ring, then by all means go for it and good luck to you. Just don't become too proficient at the role; don't be recognised nationally for your efforts; or your days will be numbered.

Also in the news today is this absolutely amazing announcement by Slades that the squad can move up the table and make the play-offs. Of course, it's dependent on strengthening the squad and presumably replacing the players which he signed to replace the last two managers' players just six months ago. Apparently "if you can get some consistency and some back-to-back wins together, anything can happen". True, but I would argue that we already have the consistency. 

Earlier today at CA Towers, Wicklow Diary reminded me of this club interview with Fenty where he explains why the board unanimously backed the appointment of Slades. In it, Fenty said we had "a very good squad" at the time and our problem was the size of it – 31 players. We needed to be reducing that, he added, "to the requisite number which is 22 senior pros" plus young pros. I'd like to know what he thinks now that Slade has got rid of the majority of that "very good" squad while maintaining the size of it. One for Burnsy, Matt Dean, or Liam and James at the Telegraph? 

Another thing that stands out is this: "Russell only said this morning he thinks it was a shrewd decision because he's available and probably 10 games into next season, he wouldn't be available because he's in demand." Yeah, quite.

One last thing I need to draw your attention to is this lovely article by James Findlater in the Telegraph, in which Graham Rodger talks about his former teammate Cyrille Regis who sadly passed away yesterday. It includes a great anecdote about wearing Regis' boots as they won the 1987 FA Cup with Coventry.