Cod Almighty | Diary

The real thing

10 June 2021

Trentside Diary writes: "I can't get by without you, I need you more each day" is bubbling along in the background. Have I banged my head and slipped back to a Church Mice disco? Quick check. No flares or big, bushy hair. Well not true about the hair but that's just because it hasn't seen a brush yet today. It's just the radio but I can't help but think it sums up my current relationship with our team. It's a good omen.

I can't remember the last time I felt this enthused about the coming season. Probably about 1979 when I just loved going to football and didn't think too much about who owned the club or what was going on in the boardroom. Was that the naivety of youth, or different times? At least I hadn't yet developed the longer-term disillusion that has washed over so many of us these past few years. If I didn't know better, I might think I was ill. It's a strange sensation: anticipation. We are privileged to be witnessing evolution as it's happening. It's palpable now. I can feel it. No longer in the dark ages, we are changing and for the better.

If you want a feel for that, just look at the difference in terms of last pre-season to this. True, the season started a month later than the coming one but even so, we didn't sign anyone until 11 August (Eleven August): Bilel Moshni and Ira Jackson Jr. The first loan, Danny Preston, came on 3 September. One local knockabout and that was it. I won't go back over the board's cunning plan to try to outwit Covid but good grief, is there any wonder we ended up where we did?

Contrast that with this year. No sooner had Daubney Diary commented on the signing of McAtee than there was more excitement. Giles Coke signed up for a year. What a signing. Can't wait to see him in person. Then just a couple of hours later full-back Ryan Sears was announced, also with a year's deal. I know nothing about him but as he was a youth player at Shrewsbury when Paul Hurst was there; he'll know what he can do and we just know he'll have the right attitude. Players seem to like signing for Hurst which can only be good for us. Just look at his face on Sears' signing photo. You don't often see Hursty looking that pleased. I like to think he's happy he's nabbed him and that's good enough for me.

Welcome John and Ryan! Glad you're staying Giles! And wow Shaun, it's been too long! Can't wait to see you all in action! UTM!