Cod Almighty | Diary

Brighton, Mansfield: all in a day's work for Town

21 March 2023

Hello fellow Mariners and a special mention to those who, like me, couldn't be there on Sunday. I will point out that I'm not the CA team member who felt the need to criticise the players. Brighton are an in-form team and were going to punish any slight mistake or wobble. In the end, despite their number of chances, the scoreline favoured them and I'm so proud of everything that the players and club have done in the last few days and couple of years.

I must mention the build up on Match of the Day. I admit I shed a few tears watching it. I thought it was very well done and everyone on it radiated such a positive image of our club. Aren't we the lucky ones? I've watched it again and even though by then we all knew the result it still made me so proud.

Memories for those there will be amazing but so too for everyone watching. My two young grandsons were there and to see the little 16-month old clapping and chanting "goal" just melted my heart. Pity we didn't get one for him and the rest of you but I'll watch the clip hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Indoctrination complete!

It's back to the real world now and Mansfield away tomorrow. They really aren't going to be easy opposition, sitting just outside the play-off places with a couple of games in hand. After the excitement of the cup it could be tough for players to raise themselves. We've seen it before after big games but you never know, that late dash might be there. That's why we keep going through the dark times, those pearls that define a season or an era.

The Football Supporters Association National Supporters Survey is now live and is an important way of letting them know what matters to us as supporters. We may not agree with each other on everything, we don't even agree as Town fans, but it's good for them to find out what we think of the state of the game. Unfortunately, it doesn't say when it closes but it covers a range of subjects that are very relevant to us as supporters of a lower league club and not just top flight problems. If you can spare ten minutes, or want to look busy on your laptop, have your say.

I've been lucky enough to see a few promotions in my time watching Town but this is the most engaged I've felt with the club, ever. Such a journey to be on!

UTM!