The Postbag

Newell Post

14 October 2008

You know what to do: read this then send us some letters.

Remember CamRed?

I have always thought - presumptuous I know - that Town's colours were black, white AND RED but to learn that RED was introduced by Bill Shankly? I'm not so sure anymore about the red socks. but Town always wore them when I started going with my dad Alf in the old Barrett Stand. What are Town's official colours?

Still like the RED though - has it always appeared on the shirts as trim?

UTM

from Alan Dickens

Letters Ed responds: I had a quick look in the obvious books, and couldn't find anything to enlighten us. Can anyone out there fill us in on the history of Town's red?

John Fenty: monster, messiah, or just a man?

I live in Oxford, and try and keep in touch with all the activity of the Mariners via the Evening Telegraph and of course Cod Almighty. Today I've read John Fenty's very honest and deeply saddening statement, and to be honest if I were him I would put the club up for sale and get out.

Results on the park have been terrible. I'd be the first to admit how annoyed I was at Buckley's inability to get a competent 20 goal a season striker into the team. However I know that the bigger picture and elements such as ITV Digital's collapse, low gates, an old stadium and a bunch of players that really don't seem to be able to motivate themselves as pros has contributed massively to the clubs downturn.

What I really don't understand is the chaps on the Telegraph website that are giving the chairman so much abuse. From what I can see, and I may be accused of being short sighted, Fenty appointed Buckley as manager as Buckley had expressed his desire to get the club back to where it belongs. This was clearly mirrored in the pre season signings, all of whom expressed admiration for Alan's ambition. Coupled with this Fenty wanted to build a new ground, which would not only be economically more viable than BP but would also enshrine, if you will, the future ambition of the club.

For whatever reason this has all gone wrong somewhere, but I really don't understand these fans who want Fenty out. Is there something I have missed in the news? Or do they not realise that there is probably no one else in the world that would bankroll GTFC and its (hopefully a) minority of ungrateful supporters?

For one I would support the Town through thick and thin; my old man always used to tell me that supporting the Mariners is about hope over experience.

from Paddy Grant

Letters Ed responds: There are probably still people dreaming of some consortium of various Ramsdens, McMenemys and Bonettis, but if anyone out there wants to let us know why they want Fenty out, and what they think would happen if he went, we'll be glad to hear from you.

Loaves and fishes

As a conspiracy theorist, must tell you Mike Newell is Messiah in disguise, that this is long-awaited Second Coming, and that he now proposes to repeat miracle involving the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

from John Ellis

Letters Ed responds: Having Town keep a clean sheet will be miracle enough.

Sing when we're losing 4-1?

While Town were losing at Rotherham I was on a train to Nottingham for my mate's wedding do, with no idea of the score. At about quarter to five I got a text from a Rotherham fan I know, who must have assumed I was at the game or at least following the score. It said: "Sorry Pete, you don't deserve this."

Shit! How bad was it? In the absence of specific information I was having visions of another Hartlepool event. So when another mate texted half an hour later to ask "How does it feel to lose 4-1?" I was so relieved I nearly choked on my East Midlands Trains tea-flavoured hot beverage, and spent the next hour grinning like a melon, as if Town had actually won the game.

Have any other readers ever celebrated a 4-1 defeat?

from Pete Green

Letters Ed responds: Anyone?

Pre-surplus stock

Are you going to be selling off your Alan Buckley B&W Army cheaply or do you intend to cross out his name and replace it with Mr Newell's name.

If it is the latter, they could be come a real big seller and a must have for Bonfire Night etc etc.

from Jeremy Bailey

Letters Ed responds: I think we'd better hang on to them - they might come in handy again in a few years' time.

Great club, shame about the personalities

Just read excellent articles by Lee Bradley and the Cod's stance on the Buckley sacking. Sacking Buckley after 6 games after bringing him back to Town brings the name of the Club into disrepute - F**** should be up before the FA. OK so we haven't won so far this season but neither have Spurs and Ramos is still there. A lot now depends on the players - more so than before - because they will have to help the new guy as much as he, Cod willing, will help them and after all GTFC at the moment, staring the Blue Square in the face isn't the most attractive proposition.

Sacking Buckley was in my view a kick in the teeth for the Club as a whole - I really wonder how the players are feeling about it - I would have thought that when you're trying to get your game together the last thing you need is a hammer blow like that. But who'd have thought we'd make 3 Wembley appearances - Town are still a great Club but sometimes personalities get in the way. UTM

from Alan Dickens

Letters Ed responds: Still down in the dumps?

Credit crunch

Well my £10 earlier in the year on the Mariners looks... well, pretty shit really, unless you turn the table upside down. The Diary is superb, it deserves a special award..like a proper football team to it supporters justice.

I'm backing Newelly to do the business for you boys... you need quality players like... fast, so Mikey needs to use his contacts in the game (not agents... for obvious reasons). Come on Grimsby... SORT IT!

from Scout in the green jumper

Letters Ed responds: A tenner on Town is no worse than any other investment you can make just now.

Flattery will get you ... published

Every time I come back to the Cod something new has appeared! It's like the good old days when Town were rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Sheff Wendys. Why have you lot suddenly come out of your slumber? Keep it up, yeah?

from Dave Chambers

Letters Ed responds: Wish I had the same feeling every time I checked the CA postbag. More please...

The guy is clearly a Scunny fan.

from Paddy Grant

Letters Ed responds: Councillor Lowis's take on the ground move has drawn a few responses, but none so strong as that.