Cod Almighty | Diary

Why employ stewards when you think you can do the job yourself?

23 December 2019

I bloody hate derby days. I never enjoyed Hull, Lincoln or Scunthorpe. Too many idiots thinking they’re Cock of the North. Too many coppers. And always that deep dread that you know it's not going to go your way.

"We're the pride of Lincolnshire." No we’re not, and have been independent of Lincolnshire since before Town were formed, but we’re renowned for letting the truth get in the way of a good narrative around here are we?

Humberside Police outdid themselves, starting the day with "Let battle commence, it's derby day, Grimsby v Scunthorpe United. Let’s leave the battle on the pitch and not in the stands." Evidently Humberside Police have a very poor view of football fans. Whatever they were tying to achieve, it plays straight into the mindset of those who think all football fans cause trouble and should be kettled and restricted in their movements. It also sets the tone for those policing the match.

The message was blamed thus - "the excitement... has gone to the head of one of our Mariners fans this morning and they've not made the best choice of words." - and the tweet was deleted. That doesn’t take away from the fact that whoever thought it was OK should probably not be allowed anywhere near their social media account, to police a football match, or both.

Anyway, back to football. We worked bloody hard, looked lively and played better than we have in months but as chances passed us by, you just knew they would nick something against the run of play. We didn’t break the goal drought; we didn’t deserve the result but that’s bloody football. They were decidedly unimpressive but they took their chance. You don't score goals, you're going to struggle. But I am taking away the positives of how we played; just not in front of their goal.

The lack of a result drags us back to wondering what is going on at our club. Is Fenty going, or going to appoint a manager? Is there any likelihood of a goal or a goal scorer in the January transfer window? Without a manager, who would bring someone in?

There must be someone making decisions because they agreed to let Seb Ring go. I for one wish him well. He didn’t seem to get a chance at Town but I hope he has a club lined up for the Swedish season starting in the new year.

At least one fan had a go at Fenty towards the end of the match. He was verbally abusive but - as ever one to set an example - our non-chairman squared up to him and a “scuffle” ensued. Didn’t Mr Jolley face a disciplinary for losing his rag? I can see this happening more frequently if something doesn’t happen soon. I’m not advocating abuse but the frustration is palpable and the stewards in the Upper Findus are pretty useless. Good job the lad didn’t have a flag.

Come on Fenty: tell us honestly what is going on.

UTM. Fenty Out!