Cod Almighty | Diary

Shirt or scarf? Decisions, decisions

1 July 2021

Trentside Diary writes: It's the first day of the month and the signs are there that the new season isn't far away. Next week the fixtures will be released, and about bloody time. I know it's only been five minutes since the play-offs resulted in Hartlepools being promoted but we're underway next month and I'm looking forward to pencilling in a few away days. It doesn't have to be anywhere exotic (Torquay) or new (Kings Lynn), just an awayday. In fact, if you're planning Kings Lynn be warned, based on my very limited experience, traffic stuck on the bypass is dreadful because it feels like the only way north out of Norfolk. So get there early: that's your first tip of the season.

To fill the closed season void and to tweak our anticipation there was the kit launch this week. I loved the video and photos of James McKeown and his daughter who looked to be having a great time together posing. The front of the shirt is looking good, with its proper stripes, as are the second and third strips. Third strips may just be a ruse by kit manufacturers to get fans to shell out more, but what do I know?

I have never owned a Town shirt myself, although I have bought dozens over the years with boys who wanted the new strip every season. I've had the same scarf for about 20 years. It's not been lucky for us but I put that down to club ownership rather than my scarf. I own a Cod Almighty "Sergeant Whittle" t-shirt (fully paid for - no dodgy contracts, back-handers or mates rates involved) which gets a few puzzled looks around where I live, but never a Town shirt.

With the renewed optimism around this season, I'm tempted. I couldn't wear it for most games: I need under armour, thermals, a jumper and then an insulated coat for most home games because I have to take the "Grimsby, Humber, it will be at least three degrees colder than it is here with that wind making it feel more like ten" factor into account when we're leaving home. But you never know. I wonder if they make one big enough to go over that lot, and my own not insubstantial frame? I might just treat myself. Or maybe just a new scarf just to keep me going until next month.

UTM.