Cod Almighty | Diary

The only way is up

4 January 2023

It's January! Have you got your yellow tie out? The door will be slamming shut soon on any opportunity to save what, so far, has been a terrible season and fully justifies the December furore prior to our win over The Hatters on New Year's Day.

Quick, Messrs Hursts, Stockwoods and Pettits get that cheque book out for a kneejerk signing that will save our season. Forget all the work going on off the field – making the club a better place to be around and all that – pah! What a waste of time. It's 2023 and we want results and we want them now.

Never mind a long term project where we might become a sustainable club at a higher level with genuine aspirations. A quick fix is all we need – that should get us in the mix.

Indeed, we've only been knocking on the door of the top four in the professional divisions for the last 20 years, so show me your ambition. Why adopt a measured approach to things Mariners when you can "ged it in the mixer!"?

I've paid my money – so I get to pick the team and have my say. No, my subs don't contribute to the salaries of those who have proven themselves to be astute operators. Why be cautious when we could be Crawley or Rochdale? That's so much more fun.

Yes, I want to win and not just make a din but couldn't we all just do it a little bit faster? After all, this time last year we were mid-table in the fifth division, which we all so rather preferred.

No doubt I will be called a happy clapper and of poor taste but the new year is a time for reflection. Reflection offers perspective and we'd all do well to remember that from time to time, in sport, politics, society and life in general. All aboard the promotion train to Cleethorpes. Only – beware - the next service calling at this station might not be the express.