Cod Almighty | Diary

"'E ill, Majesty"

16 January 2020

At Cod Almighty, we have been known to speak slightingly of the official Grimsby Town website. So let Domestic Diary today acknowledge that Kirky's eulogy for Brian Clifton - a Town midfielder from 1962-66, whose death has been announced - is truly superb. Clifton was before my time, so I can only add CA's condolences to any of his family and friends who may be reading. Send us your memories of the player and the man and we will put together a fitting tribute for an old Mariners captain.

The likely arrival of James Tilley has been so heavily trailled, both on Tuesday and yesterday, that all I need do is add the factual detail that he has signed an 18-month contract, taking a considerable pay cut to do so. The chances are Tilley will make his debut on Saturday.

That will be before what is likely to be a bumper crowd. Ian Holloway has been touring schools drumming up support and has had the same fun we have all had in the past with the term "responsible adult" in the latest kids go free promotion.

Billy Clarke's goal last Saturday excited a little bit of discussion on social media about previous players who have scored on their Town debut. One name mentioned was Neil Woods. If you have read Alan Buckley's autobiography (and if you haven't, what on earth are you doing wasting time reading this when you are so behind with your education?) you will remember Buckley had to persuade him to test out his bad back with a gentle walk rather than, on the morning of the first day of the season, cry off making his loan debut.

The story is worth recalling for the impact Woods has had on the Mariners, as a player certainly but even more as youth coach. Some may speak of a Sliding Doors moment: we have Woods's Walk moments. The club's history is full of them. I don't have to lift my fingers from the keyboard to remember the penalties of Marc North and Podge Amond.

It'll annoy some, who demand we acknowledge that appointing Ian Holloway was always part of the board's masterplan, but I wonder if there was a Woods's Walk moment hidden away during our winless run under Anthony Limbrick? Perhaps it is still too early to tell.