Cod Almighty | Postbag

New year, new postbag

7 January 2009

Out with the old, in with the new. Not just a summary of Mike Newell's policy for the transfer window, but our commitment to bring you, at no charge, the letters you've written yourselves. How's that for a business model? Help us get seriously poor: send us a letter.

Let's reignite that Slade, good or bad debate

"These are the good old days" notes your post match factfile about JPK's performance. Are you guys recalling the Russ years as a high point in the club's history?

from Dave Chambers

Letters Ed responds: A thought that could keep the messageboards going for days, I suspect.

Dress rehearsal rag

New research1 released today shows how just over one third of football fans in the region admit to having a lucky ritual that they feel bound to perform in a bid to influence the outcome of their team's match. From lucky pants to pints of beer, football fans show their dedication in a number of different ways.

. 13% always wear their team's colours, 7% wear a pair of lucky pants . 12% take the same route every time to the grounds, 4% have a lucky pee! . 17% forego a hot date for that crucial match, and 6% have even missed the birth of their child

For local Grimsby fans, the team comes before loved ones with 21 per cent admitting they would choose to miss the birth of their child to watch the team in an important cup match or final.

New [Name removed, though heaven know's they deserve all the embarrassmment they'd get if we left it it], looked at habits and superstitions across the nation.

When it comes to die hard football fans, [the "research"] uncovered some of the more quirky and funny football rituals the nation has to offer, such as one fan from the North West who admits "I always drive the same route on home games, no matter what the traffic, I stop at the same burger bar and wear my lucky 1992 shirt.", and another who says: "I always wear the same socks, buy my programme at the same hut, always wear my woolly hat, even if it's not cold, but never put it on until I reach the ground."

...

from Caroline Stillwell

Letters Ed responds: ... and it goes on, and on, in all its toe curling, patronising detail. Ms Stillwell, your family, your friends, you yourself had high hopes, and not so long ago, but I'm afraid it really has come to this. You can still find a job, go out and talk to a friend. On the back of every magazine there are those coupons you can send.

Through a purple haze

Hi Cod Just had to write to say Tony's excelled himself this time - had me in stitches, particularly the Hendrix thing on Ak-Ak. No sign of the Purple Haze nor the Voodoo Chile!!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic stuff. Is it being a Town supporter or are we all made the same way - you know the too good to last syndrome? No I'm not talking about Town's performances but Tony getting loaned out to Private Eye or Punch as their footy correspondent. He wouldn't go would he? UTM

from Alan Dickens

Letters Ed responds: Perhaps we could get Ian Hislop as cover for the right flank.

In town, several years ago

My Mum often regales us with the story of how she once saw Bernie Taupin and his mate Elton in Boots in Top Town in the early 70s. She said they looked a bit dodgy so she didn't introduce herself.

from Hollie Heenan

Letters Ed responds: Wise, very wise

Petty corruption, at a website near you

Hi Grimsby Fans [uh oh - Editor],

As a fellow supporters website editor, I've been asked by **** to contact you about **** which has just been launched.

The ground-breaking game, which is online and interactive, has thousands of teams and **** want to involve the grassroots of the game i.e. us.

Would you be willing to publish a review (either supplied ready written or written by yourself) and in return **** are offering a one year's subscription for either yourself or as a competition prize for your readers.

Let me know if any or all of the above interests you. Incidentally **** are also offering affiliate deals from Feb onwards so if you want to promote the game and earn cash by doing so just let me know.

Finally, I'd like to wish Grimsby all the best for 2009. I remember coming to your ground in 1994 for a score draw in the FA Cup! Let's hope both our teams have a good run till the end of the season.

Best Wishes

from

Letters Ed responds: Gee, I'd thought you were just a dodgy salesman, but now I know you visited our ground once, I know you really are a grassroots voice who is in no way in the employ of the company mentioned or in any kind of commercial arrangement with it. Shame Town weren't involved in any score draws in the Cup in 1994, and now I notice you don't actually give the name of our ground, wondering if perhaps you've been sending identical letters to lots of people- that must have been some Cup r

That's all for now. More in a fortnight, when letters from people with a genuine interest in Grimsby will be particularly welcome.