Cod Almighty | Postbag
Postbag: You're not from these parts are you?
19 June 2010
After the last postbag's suggestion we find more suitable suitable songs to show our support for the Mariners, were you expecting a flood of traditional trawler shanties? Sorry to disappoint, but we do have the beginnings of a fraternal feud to rival Bobby and Jack Charlton, or Chris and Peter Hitchen. Plus honorary Grimbarian status is proposed and a couple of people tell us why they are famous Grimsby peeps.
Tell us about it, and be grateful we've forgotten all about the letter telling us how much better the World Cup would be than watching Grimsby.
Families
After the recent spate of letters (See the previous postbag) from people not wanting to take kids to football, I thought I'd offer a bit of counter-balance based on my experiences.
I totally agree with comments about knobheads at Burton and at the Torquay home game. They're a complete embarrassment and seriously in need of some "re-education". And no I wouldn't take my kids somewhere where they would be in any physical danger.
Moving on. I've generally not had wince inducing moments when I've taken my kids to see Town. I first took my eldest (now 12) to BP when he was 6 and all I can say, I must have been lucky. It wasn't long before I had to take his little sister as well. It sounds like a cliche but he was more interested in what was going-on on the pitch (a barrage of questions in his first game, like he was hoovering up as much knoweldge as possible) while she seems as interested in the crowd and all the human interactions as anything. I made it clear to both of them that what goes on in football grounds should stay there (including all the bad language) but that was all part of the culture of the game.
I needn't have worried about exposing impressionable children to swearing, as one Boxing Day I took my son and his friend to see our local club, Kingstonian, play. One of the K's chants involved "industrial language" (yes there used to be some industry in the town before it became just another London suburb and shopping centre - Sopwith and Hawker being 2 notable examples). My son and his mate remarked in that shocked/amused way small boys do when they hear something naughty. "Oo, they said the F word dad". "Don't be so surprised, you must have heard that loads at Town matches". "Town fans don't swear" came the genuinely offended reply.
Since then they've both had enjoyable experiences (OK mainly going and coming back) and have been inducted into the wider community, represented by Town fans. The worst behaviour they've come directly into contact with is someone making my beer taste like shandy by dropping a chewy sweet into it at Barnet (mentioning no names but I suspect a Trust Board member who lives in Chesterfield). Its been a rare chance for them to actually be part of something, rather than as a consumer watching sanitized fizzy pop football on Sky (or being taken to Stamford Bridge/the Emirates by rich daddy's). Another thing that connects them to one half of their family background. Growing up in an area where most kids' parents seem to have come from somewhere else, that is no bad thing.
Bournemouth away last season was two sides of the coin. The pitch invasion during the game versus the non-stop singing. Where else would you get loons climbing trees in windy weather to see the game? The passion. The humour. The joy. The relief. Nothing beats being part of a crowd, singing its heart out and there's been lots of evidence recently that communal singing is actually good for you. "The best atmosphere at any Town game I've been to, Dad, including Wembley".
Sooner or later kids will come across bad examples, but its how you react that I think counts. I started going in the 70s, a decade hardly renowned for family-friendly football, and I survived to become a reasonably well-adjusted adult. My son is now a typical moody teen and my daughter is still the nice middle class 10 year old who goes to ballet lessons (and still loves to hear raucous northerners shout abuse at tubby goalies). The alternative is for families to stay away from football and for it to become a ghetto. To me that's unthinkable.
PS On the subject of football in the 70s, I'd like to point out to James Parrott that his dad was probably having him on about the trawlermen songs. At least from his first hand experience. All I can remember is him coming home singing "B.O.V V.E.R. Bovver Boys is what we are...." and "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside [hammer in me hand version]". Can't remember Fiddlers Green or owt like that.
from Chris Parrott
I am a f
I was looking up Brenda Fisher's biography and generally found all the biogs quite funny.
Therefore can I add my own name.!!!!!
Chris Carter first winner of the Grimsby Docks Open water Championship over 4 miles in 1976, organised by the Grimsby Water Rats SC. I have only beenback once to defend the title but finished 3rd. Have stood on the Hull side of the river but never ventured across the bridge, (perhaps one day I will)
I come from Warrington now in Cheshire but obviously from the wrong side of the Pennines.
regards. Keep up the biogs.
from Chris
Letters Ed responds: 205/2010 So, you are not actually from Grimsby? I think there might just be a flaw in your application.
I am a famous Grimsby person, part 2
You missed me out! haha
My maiden name was JULIE LAUDER and I was Miss Motor Show 1974-75 at Earls Court in London. I was featured extensively in the Grimsby News (no longer in circulation) and also the Grimsby Evening Telegraph. I have pictures if you need proof!
I lived in Southern Walk in Scartho (Scatha to you, young man!) and I reigned as MMS for a year. I used to work at R A Bellamy the Jaguar Centre in Doughty Road, where I was a receptionist and for some time they had a life-sized photo of me standing outside the place (okay... some stuff you have to get over!)
Hope you feature me in your website as I love it and am proud of my Fishwife Heritage!
Love and a piece and six...
from Jay Atkinson (ex-Julie)
Letters Ed responds: Does having your letter published count as featuring?
Mr Brooksbank, we salute you
Please could somebody relay this highly important message for me?
Top piece, Mr. Brooksbank.
from Michael Shelton
More Brooksbank love
Please can we keep him?
from Phil