Cod Almighty | Postbag

New nominations in: Maroon 5 feat. Billy Cairns

23 June 2021

Neville Butt celebrates his hat-trick hero's feats in the mighty black and white stripes of Grimsby Town, Ian Jackson is looking for someone to help fill in the blanks and Malcolm Carson remembers Charlie Wilson the greengrocer.

William Hart Cairns - Neville Butt's hero.

The 1947/48 season was Town's last in the higher sphere. Relegation was inevitable as the team grew both old and ineffective together after the false dawn of a 3-0 opening day win against Villa. For Billy Cairns a sad time made worse by breaking his collar bone and thus missing the last 11 games. There was a highlight when 2,000 fans travelled to Maine Road to see the Mariners play the tenants Manchester United. Town won 4-3 but the press reaction at the time was subdued. "Cairns gets first half hat trick" was the headline in the Saturday Telegraph of the day. The first of the three came when Billy Wardle created a chance put away in-off the post. The second soon followed when Blenkinsopp flicked the ball on after a corner for Cairns to smash home with the third goal coming after Bill converted a Wilson cross. Somehow Town frittered away that lead but a late goal for Tom Blenkinsopp created by Wardle and Cairns secured a famous victory.

Billy was renowned for his heading ability and his collar size was 19 inches. He played his first game in the top flight at the age of 34 in 1946-47. He was remarkably fit but this was perhaps to be expected having been a PT instructor in the RAF. 16 goals in 31 First Division outings in the 47/48 disaster season speaks volumes. He was also prominent in the development of another Town legend Tommy Briggs, with Cairns giving up his afternoons to coach Briggs, but the hard work paid huge dividends. An inspiring footballer who whose brilliance in the air and his intelligent all round displays would have enabled him to blend with Mendonca and many others.

Town and Brentford were the only two sides that played in Division One in the first campaign after the war that had not returned to the top flight. Now we are one. Brentford 1 Grimsby Town 5 - oceans apart.

from Neville Butt

Letters Ed responds: Thank you for sharing Neville. Keep these suggestions coming folks we are unearthing some fantastic memories.

This love has taken its toll

Because the drinks bring back the memories, of everything we've been through... My kids know the lyrics to Memories by Maroon 5 off by heart but I suspect they don't understand them.

I did, however, get me thinking after reading these postbags about the 'relegation' team players. 1987, my very first GTFC game, and the last until the 1990 promotion push that started in January-February that year. My recollections are sketchy, I went with some school friends who were more versed on matchday attendance than I was, we got off the bus on Cleethorpe Road and walked up. At that time the home end had been swapped so the Pontoon contained Hull City, Town fans had to make do with the Osmond Stand. The history books show Town drew 2-2 and were relegated from the second tier. I'd always been convinced Marc North scored, but the record books don't and I am no longer sure he was actually at Town at that time, the footage is on youtube so I probably need 'Drinks to bring back the memories'. I do distinctly remember the atmosphere leaving the ground was non too friendly.

from Ian Jackson

Letters Ed responds: Thanks, Ian. As you suspect, Marc North didn't actually join us until next season, but he's a strong shout for his performances in 1987-88 

Figures of awe and law

Reading Pat Conway's account of talking to Charlie Wilson, I seem to remember he had a greengrocer’s shop in Highgate or thereabouts. It was always a great moment as a child to see him weighing out potatoes or counting apples. Similarly, we used to look out for George Tweedy working in the furniture shop in St Peter’s Avenue. They’d obviously finished playing by then but were still viewed with awe passed down from my brother and father, who was the club doctor.

Most retired Town players though were recruited by the Chief Constable, Charles Butler, to ensure he had the best and the most practised in football's "dark arts" team in the country. How effective they were as upholders of the law I couldn't say.

Others of that time ended less happily, such as Jimmy McStay.

from Malcolm Carson

Letters Ed responds: Thanks Malcolm. We touched on ex-Town police officers once before

Have you got a tenuous link between the Mariners and pop music? We'd love to hear it.