Cod Almighty | Diary

We need to talk about Harry

25 March 2021

If you came to this diary from the Cod Almighty landing page, gold star for effort. "Even in this predicament, there's more to Town than winning games" is probably not what you want to hear right now, especially as some of you might have come for a bit of blind optimism. Let me explain.

We had the "Worst Anniversary in the world this week". We've been in lockdown for a year and for those who argue it's not all been lockdown, we had those jolly months of "Eat Out to Spread It About". Well good on you, but the reality is it never went away and look how shit it's been since. I have been afflicted with the same condition as my elderly labrador for the last few months: Butterfly Brain. Have I learned a foreign language or a musical instrument? Remodelled my house or my body? Have I heck. If I had to consider what I have successfully done - apart from everyday living, eating, sleeping - it has been musing. Flitting from one thought to another with very little structure. A fair chunk of that musing has been about my football club, the major shareholder and the inept board. Not good for anyone's mental health but 2021 we expect to see improvements from you.

There are other aspects of the club that I've contemplated at length. I can almost touch and smell the turnstiles into the cramped area at the bottom of the Upper Findus/Smiths/Youngs. How will it be when we eventually get back? The view from our seats. My good friend Mark who I haven't seen in over a year now. We've had season tickets next to each other for about 15 years but our shared interest in Town goes back long before then. We've exchanged messages and a couple of calls but it's not the same as a catch up at the match is it? And then there's Harry.

We didn't know Harry before we moved seats and ended up sitting next to him. Harry's a wonderful chap in his eighties who has been watching Town man and boy. We chat about the game and what has happened during the week. What his wife will be cooking for their tea when he gets home, "pigs fry" being a particular favourite. I know, I'm obviously not really Lincolnshire born and bred because I had to ask. We talked long about his brother's illness and eventual death and many other aspects of his life. He is a true gentleman and yet all I know about who he is is where he sits in Blundell Park and that he's called Harry. He doesn't do social media and so he’s not "traceable". I often find myself wondering how he is, desperately hoping he's avoided the scourge that is Covid and yet wondering how we could find out. I thought about sending a letter to him via the club with the details I know and a request to forward it on but then thought better of it because the furlough situation left the office somewhat depleted, struggling to do whatever was needed. I felt they could do without the extra work.

Trouble is I still want to say "Hello" to Harry, ask him how he's getting on. How many Harrys are there, I wonder, around the ground? Data protection means the club couldn't randomly give out addresses but could we work with the club to provide the help to forward mail? If we agreed dates, I would be happy to go in to the office and volunteer to do it. Is it a mad idea or are there other Town fans who might want to do the same? If there are, perhaps it's something the club or Trust could facilitate. You see, being a Town fan, it's about more than winning.

For those of you have stuck the course, here's your blind optimism. We can do this, The Town are Staying Up!

UTM! Fenty Out!