Cod Almighty | Diary

CA back to it's old tricks, cutting and pasting

16 July 2020

Middle-Aged Diary is short of both time and news today, so you'll have to be content with something someone else wrote...

"It is becoming disquieting for me to read constantly the phrase, 'Science was lacking, but robustness and vigour were well to the fore' — or words having the same effect. And this about League football. Even [top flight] matches are not immune. What is football coming to?

"Take Grimsby Town, whom I have an immense admiration for, even since I watched [them] last season. That evening they played much more scientific football than did [their opponents], yet the Town had to fight an uphill struggle all through last season. This season they have gone nearly two months of the campaign before gaining their first victory, and yet they are playing classier football than before.

"[A well-known player] told me shortly after meeting Grimsby Town that he considered them one of the best sides he has played against for years — and for years [the well-known player and his club] were in the [top flight]. To use [player]'s own words, 'Grimsby played real football, kept the ball low, made their passes quickly and accurately, and showed all the finer points of the game. Moreover they played in most sportsmanlike fashion.' I am a firm believer that science and subtle craft will triumph in the end, and therefore I broadcast with pleasure this testimonial to the Town, in the hope that they will not sacrifice their science for 'robustness and vigour.'"

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you when that was written. Until then, feel free to take a guess.