Cod Almighty | Diary

Happy New Year you Mariners

31 December 2020

What a week that was!

Christmas Eve: Like the rest of you, Trentside Diary is reeling from the exchange of statements and the non-chairman’s non-deadline. Battersby goes out on "short-term" loan (which was nearly missed in all the excitement).

Christmas Day: Turkey and tinsel.

Boxing Day: Statement of interest from the Professionals. Many of us bought match passes from Morecambe (note the spelling GTFC). Our Chairman responds "That offer was time conditional. The consortium has not accepted the offer and consequently, I am informed, that there will not be a sale of his shares to the consortium". Are you sure Phil?

Sunday: What day is it? Fans commitment to "Not a Penny More" intensifies.

Bank Holiday Monday: Ben Davies is being as equally professional as the Professionals and focusing on what we do on the pitch.

Tuesday (now to be known has Decision-Day or D-Day): In the shortest of short loans, Ollie Battersby is recalled.  It would have been great for him to get a decent spell of playing and all this shunting him about through Covid Tiers is not very good is it Town? What I wouldn't have given for Russell to have to come off and an outfield player don the gloves, or Lloyd Griffith step in. When did we last see that?

Then there was the small matter of Phil the Top spinning so quickly that his dentures will still be rattling. The sale of shares and repayment of loans had been agreed. Absolute scenes on social media which isn't the same as limbs but was as good as we can manage at the moment.

The disgraced non-chairman agreeing to sell triggered debate around should we now buy from Town's iFollow. I couldn't get it on the radio so ifollowed the match on live text and decided that, either there is nothing happening worth commenting on, or so little is being updated to frustrate those who won't pay for a pass. That's how paranoid I've become.

Can you ever think of a time when the boardroom got this much attention? What happens in football should be about what is happening on the pitch. We all know the current situation at Town, and much of the last 16 years, is not how it should be. The sheer frustration and desperation of many at how amateur we have been has resulted in lifelong fans drifting away.

Wednesday: Hursty and Doig are back! After much speculation it was confirmed they are returning. A manager who inspires loyalty, commitment and organisation in his players. Just what we need at the moment. With the backing of a decent board behind him there is real potential. Signing Hursty helps to steady the nerves till the disgraced non-Chairman is gone. Surely Hurst wouldn't have returned if there was to be no change in the boardroom. After all we have learned about how the club dealt with him and players, you would have to be pretty desperate to come back. Hurst was utterly professional in his interview. So refreshing.

That brings me nicely round to the statement released by the club and in particular the comments by the Chairman. "The last few days have been very divisive", said Philip. "I trust and hope that everyone can put their differences behind them for the good of the Club".

Yes, obviously I am behind Paul and the team. I have never not been behind the team on the pitch, even when I'm not keen on the manager. Put my differences behind me? Absolutely not, no never Phil. Not until Fenty and you are out of the door. You expect me to change my tune when you did a 180 degree turn in three days? I appreciate you are Fenty's puppet but have some dignity, man. Posts on social media this week have reminded us of your little exchange of smirks behind Matt Dean’s back at THAT fans' forum. I had forgotten that you were involved. You might be more intelligent and literate than John but you're not as nice as cuddly as you would have us believe. It's time for a fresh start and I won’t be backing down. Not a penny more from me until the deal is done. I hope many others feel the same, just in case John thinks about changing his mind. Toddle off and whilst you're at it, take the rest of the board with you.

Happy New Year Mariners fans, wherever you are. Here's to a brighter future!
Fenty Out! Sack the Board! UTM!