Cod Almighty | Postbag
Postbag: desperately seeking Felix Ormerod
9 June 2009
You read, you write, we publish, you read, you write, we publish, you ... and soon August will be here. If the close season cannot take Grimsby out of your heart, write to us.
Tommy McKenna
In reply to Felix Ormerod's email 29.4.2009.
In 1941 Tommy McKenna was transferred from Kelwinning Rangers to St Mirren where he made a name for himself in Scottish football. In seasons 1944-1946 he was skipper of the first team. Whilst at St Mirren he was a member of the committee that formed the Scottish Players Union (a fact he was justly proud of).
In 1946 he moved south where he spent 2 years playing for Reading Town before transferring to Grimsby Town. 1950 Dad signed for Chelmsford City and began working for Marconi Company. One more transfer took him to Clacton Town where he finished his career after breaking his leg.
Back in Chelmsford whilst working at Hoffman Ball Bearing Company, he was shop steward and active member of Amalgamated Engineering Union fighting for the rights of the workers.
I hope that this information is of help to you.
I would be very interested to see a copy of the Chelmsford City V Weymouth programme Feb 1965 if at all possible.
from Tommy McKenna Junior.
Letters Ed responds: Calling Felix Ormerod... Showing a foresight that suggests I'd make an excellent bank director, I haven't kept a note of your email address. If you can help with the programme, please get in touch and I'll put you in touch with Tommy.
I'm a famous Grimsby peep
Hi guys! I am just letting you know I LOVE your Grimsby Dictionary and Famous People pages. I moved from Cleethorpes where I was born, in 2000 to North Wales (it's gorgeous and they don't all speak Welsh and burn your house down if you're English!)
This website keeps me in touch with my roots... (yep, they're looking like they need touching up - I'm not a real blonde after all) and reminds me that you can take the girl out of Grimsby, but you can never take Grimsby out of the girl...
However, in your famous Grimsby people thing... I think I deserve a mention. I was once Miss Motor Show 1974-75 and was in all the local papers (Evening Telegraph, Grimsby News, etc) and interviewed on radio after my success. I worked, at the time, at Bellamy's Jaguar Centre in Doughty Road, although sadly it's probably a car park now! My maiden name was Lauder (and my birth name was Julie) although I am now Mrs Atkinson, and I've changed my hated birth name to Jay... also because I'm a writer, it was an artistic thing! (honest!)
So, it would be an honour to be mentioned in the Grimmo Dictionary, if you so deem it, and might even entice me back for a visit (if only for Marklew's fish and chips on the prom)...
PS. You might be surprised to hear that some of the Welsh accents are remarkably like Grimsby twang.. very flat vowels... oops, that reminds me.. must go!
Love and appreciation,
from Jay Atkinson (ex Julie Lauder)
Letters Ed responds: Do you find the people of Wales and Grimsby also united in a certain pessimism?
Save the ice-rink
Hi, This is not about the mighty GTFC but could I as a loyal reader of the Diary ask you to give a mention to the campaign to save Grimsby's ice rink. North East Lincs council in its wisdom have decided that the best way to improve leisure facilities and childhood obesity levels in the area is to take one of the best used facilities away by closing Grimsby Leisure Centre and not replacing the ice rink. Instead skaters will have to travel to Hull or Sheffield. Of course there is an angle where this will affect the football club. Several young ice hockey players who train on a Saturday morning go to Blundell Park on a Saturday afternoon. If they and their fathers (like myself) find themselves in Hull or Sheffield on Saturday will they be rushing back to Blundell Park or might some of them decide to take in the match where they are?
There is a 'Save the ice-rink' petition to sign on the Grimsby Telegraph website. Could I please urge all your readers to sign.
Many Thanks
from Chris Lyons
Has Part 2 of Jonah Foreigner been written yet?
Part 1 of the Jonah Foreigner article said that Second part would follow soon. Any ideas as to when yet?
I enjoyed reading the first and was looking to reading the second instalment, especially your views on Santos and no doubt Kalala.
from Iain Biglin
Letters Ed responds: Soon, is the word on the street. How soon? That's another question.
Is that a phone in your pocket or are you just pleased to see Master Bosh?
So, in Mr Wraith's pocket, is that a packet of Benson's finest or is it a pace-maker? You decide. He could have combed his hair. Scruffy git. Makes you proud doesn't it.
from Lloyd Griffith
CA defamed in shock Gas defamed allegation
Just to let you know that we (Rovers) have NEVER been in administration and so we dislike intensely how the other lot did so and crapped on 8 players from a great height; those players actually tore up their contracts to save that team. They're now Bristol City 1982 LTD and should not have the brass balls to have the old flag flying with the team induction as 1892. That team went into admin and that is how they are, a bunch of C u next Tuesdays.
PLEASE clarify the gas have NEVER been in admin. We HAVE played in other grounds but with pride and honour, paying debts and although not flying high in the leagues we have a great bunch, a unique nickname, our own song and so much more than the "robins" - how many teams have that nickname ?
Sorry but you brought it out in me.
Rovers till I die. Irene I love you my love.
Regards
from Julian Pirog
Letters Ed responds: I've just spent half an hour going through years-old Rough Guides trying to find the place where one of our authors said you were ever in admin. I've looked at three, and not found a reference. However, your letter does suggest that in 2004, Richard Dawson had the Gasheads spot on.
No red socks
This annoys me, quite a lot. They still haven't learnt have they?! No red socks? We're not going to win anything this season. Ribbie Stickdale has grown his hair though and is looking dishy in the new kit... I'm more than willing to buy 15 pairs of red socks and donate them. I'll speak to Mick the kit man...
from Lloyd, London, wearing red stockings
Letters Ed responds: Paying for 15 sets of socks - that should be enough to get a stand named after you.
If you are famous and from Grimsby, want to correct an alleged slight in an article five years old, or think our socks should be any colour other than red, black or white, please get in touch. Above all, if you are Felix Ormerod, please get in touch.