Cod Almighty | Diary

28 August 2018

Devon Diary writes: Yesterday Grimsby Town issued a short statement regarding the racist incident in the Town end at Rodney Parade.

In the past many of us have questioned the club's appetite for tackling this sort of thing. We've maybe thought that incidents were swept under the carpet or that punishments handed out for those found to have committed the crimes weren't severe enough. Having spoken to two club employees, I believe the club is taking it far more seriously than it has appeared to in the past.

There's been plenty of discussion of the incident on social media. We've all read it and we all have our own take on it. Me? I don't believe drinking beer makes one racist, nor does age mitigate it. While the accused's peers and other figures in his life may have influenced his behaviour, that can't excuse it. And it's not banter: it's a hate crime. 

Among some of the more stupid comments has been a suggestion that the fan who reported the incident did it for likes. Really? That's almost as stupid as suggesting a black player "plays the race card".

Does our club have a problem with racism? Is it any worse than any other club? A number of fans have said they haven't heard anything like this at Town games, but other fans have chipped in to say that yes they have – and recently too, some of them citing examples. It certainly was worse in the 70s and 80s but it clearly hasn't gone away, else we wouldn't be talking about it. And the club certainly wouldn't be investigating an incident which happened at Blundell Park as recently as the Lincoln game.

While there's still racism in the game we have to highlight it and deal with it and not be concerned if it's done publicly. The use of the #GTFC hashtag shines a light on it but it doesn't suggest to anyone that the whole club is racist. We shouldn't try downplaying an incident at Town by pointing out that a neighbouring club has also had a similar incident. Just hold our hands up and admit it happened and make sure it doesn't happen again. 

In actual football news, the stiffs have some fixtures but that's about it.  

Elsewhere, that big club up the road has a new manager and it's not the Cowleys, it's this chap.