Cod Almighty | Diary
HR was never on my side
21 March 2019
East End Diary found myself very frustrated watching the news yesterday evening. The last time a Conservative in charge was this tone-deaf, stubbornly continuing the same actions over and over again, supported by useless statements, Russell Slade nearly returned GTFC to the Conference. So it was something of a relief when the club announced something to distract from those dark memories – albeit with some sad news that John Welsh has played his last game for the club.
When Welsh walked in through the doors of Blundell Park he seemed a ready-made cult hero figure, but it sadly did not quite work out and it is highly likely that his impact off the pitch has been greater than his impact on it. Hopefully he has better luck in the future. In the cold light of day it feels like a sensible time to move on and make these decisions. Let’s be honest: our eyes are looking beyond the next game on the horizon and more to the preparation for next season. We do have a budget to manage and one that is enough for a few portakabins but unlikely to be one of the larger in the league.
Thunderdiary yesterday posed the question of whether we want to be a club overspending in chasing a dream, or with sensible financial planning and a long-term strategy in place. It's an opportune time to be asking that type of question.
It is any fan's right to look at the likes of Fleetwood, Burton Albion and Forest Green’s lofty league positions (from our current vantage point, at least) and marvel at the ability to do it on such lowly crowds. However, yesterday also saw three football clubs fighting winding-up orders as Bolton, Macclesfield and Ebbsfleet all struggle to pay their bills. This, of course, comes hot on the heels of North Ferriby ceasing to be entirely.
Football in this country continues to be split in the most uneven way imaginable, with the vast wealth concentrated so heavily at the top. There is a second tier which operates like a casino, with owners betting the house (not their own, of course) that they will be the next Wolves rather than another QPR. The rest of the professional game is seemingly invisible to those in the upper echelons – except the scouts who want to rob the lower tiers of any assets that could earn money in the future, simultaneously allowing their own clubs' academies to bulge under the weight of players unable to play in the first team.
Still, it is possible to want a bit more and yet not gamble the house, isn’t it? To criticise a current position without suggesting that we go for a ridiculous option? To question how we are in this position where a leader says it's their way or no way?
Oh, fuck it – bring on Saturday and some football.