Cod Almighty | Diary

I want the shirt off your back! Or maybe Harry Clifton's

20 December 2022

Trentside Diary usually likes to offer my small but genuine congratulations to whichever Town player has impressed in the league in the previous weekend. Given that the local football pitches in Nottinghamshire had been frozen solid for over a week, Mansfield were going to have to be in possession of some magical covers if they were going to get the game on. It would have taken John Curry up front and Robin Cousins on the wing if the game had gone ahead. It didn't and so instead of a full family outing to Mansfield we watched the third/fourth place play-off. I’m sure you found something to do.

Sunday was a bit of a first for me. Not football this time but a visit to the Ice Arena and the Nottingham Panthers. I know this is Cod Almighty but bear with me! As a spectacle it couldn't be more different to a visit to Blundell Park. Entertaining and I'd go again but it didn't grab my soul like the Mariners. I wouldn't advocate the razzle-dazzle or snatches of music blaring out when something exciting happens but there were a couple of things that I did like.

I know it would never happen at a football ground but asking you not to leave or return to your seats until there is a brief break in play would be wonderful. Combine a few pre-game drinks with the December cold and you can guarantee that we will have to get up half a dozen times each half to let people past to go to the loo. We can usually identify them beforehand as they are often the ones who stagger in late. Ten to fifteen minutes later they are heading out to the gents again. It's amazing how often these people stop right in front of you if something exciting happens while I get a view of their backs. Very frustrating.

One positive thing that Town could adopt is "The shirt off his back". A pound a ticket, and it is drawn and the winner announced during the final third. Whoever is the holder of the lucky ticket goes down to the pitch at close of play, chooses which player's shirt they want and they get it there and then, straight off the players back. Love it. Come on Town, we need this.

The World Cup is over. We can dream of unrealistic hopes that one day FIFA will decide it's not about the cash and them personally. Town fans have already moved on to focussing on the January transfer window. I trust the gaffer and owners to go for their targets and anyway, we’ve a couple of games to focus on before then.

Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and the festive season.

UTM.