Cod Almighty | Diary

That is the only thing you'll be remembered for

3 July 2023

Miss Guest Diary writes: I confess to not being one of those fans who were particularly eager for the return of Charles Vernam from Lincoln. My memories of him are that he was OK at times but could be a bit frustrating; the sort of player who I thought could do more if he really put his mind to it. His goal at Colchester, which became the EFL fourth division goal of the season in 2020, somehow turned him in some fans' minds from a decent player into a superstar.

What I didn't recall until I read the recent interview with Vernam in the Telegraph was the abrupt end to his playing days with us. In that article he talks about the atmosphere created by Town fans and particularly mentions the away game at Scunny in March 2020. That, of course, proved to be the last game of the season due to the Covid lockdown and was also his last game for Town. When his contract wasn't renewed in the summer he moved on to Burton Albion. I've been pondering what that must have been like for him – one minute you're scoring a goal in front of 2,000 celebrating fans, the next the season's over and you're out of the door. It feels like The Wolds Panther might have some unfinished business with Town.

Oh, and I can't leave the topic without saying three cheers to Vernam for coming along to Blundell Park to see us play Wrexham in our promotion season.

Talking of Burton Albion, they have signed Max Crocombe on a two-year contract. Mysteriously, some Town fans seem to think this is a step down for our Max, overlooking the fact that when Town were getting promoted back into the football league in 2016, Burton were getting promoted to the second division where they stayed for two seasons before returning to the third tier.

Just to complete the round up of player movements, Danilo Orsi has been transferred to Crawley for an undisclosed fee. He seems liked a nice lad but didn't feature much in the league last season so a move back down south where he's from and some income for Town feels like a good deal all round.

There are now rumours floating around about signing a mid-fielder from Middlesborough, but I'll leave tomorrow's diarist to handle that one.

Though I'm unable to go to either, the two pre-season games this week make next season feels like it's only a heartbeat away. I wish I had news of an incoming goalkeeper, alas I don't, but I have every faith that when Town take the field against Grimsby Borough tomorrow there will be someone between the sticks. Even if that someone is Steve Croudson. Details of the ticket arrangements for the all pre-season games are on Town's website. I've already got mine for the two games at Blundell Park, and for old fogeys like me tickets are only £6. Bargain!

Luckily, while I'm sat at home waiting for the Hull friendly on 15th July, there's plenty of sport on TV to keep me distracted. Highlights will be Andy Murray's (possible) last game at Wimbledon, nightly updates on the Tour de France where I'll be hoping for the Manx Missile to get that record-breaking 35th stage win, and then there's the third Ashes Test at Headingly on Thursday. I've only one thing to say about that: I love you, Stuart Broad.

UTM.