Cod Almighty | Diary

Now that's what I call a season pass

24 July 2023

Miss Guest Diary writes: Despite the fears at Cod Almighty Towers that our boys would find the heat difference between Cleethorpes and Alicante too much to cope with, they have apparently survived, though the information coming out of the club has been scant. I have watched the pitchside highlights posted by Port Vale of the one-all draw, which obviously focus on the Vale players, but do give a flavour of just how hot it was and provide a few glimpses of the Town support.

Those intrepid fans who made the trip have obviously been having way too much fun to keep us stay-at-homes fully informed via the usual channels. But kudos to them for flying out to stand on a rocky hillside in the roasting heat to watch another glorified training session. Frankly, I now feel like a part-time supporter for deciding that a three-and-a-bit-hour drive to watch the pre-season game at Fleetwood next weekend is too much effort.

There is a video of Chris Doig talking about the training camp, filmed the day before the Port Vale game. All told, he's not a happy man. Some players found the early training sessions "difficult" with "a different intensity". He was "slightly disappointed" by the first training game, which Town lost 1-0, citing not keeping possession, giving away a goal from a set piece and needing to tighten up on the final pass and shot. Apparently the team spirit and camaraderie are building nicely though – fostered by aqua aerobics, a quiz and something to do with "boy bands" – activities which I have a feeling Doigy has never engaged in.

Annoyingly, in a foretaste of what we can expect from the media this season, the BBC has a headline story about Wrexham's US tour and their 4-0 victory over LA Galaxy II, whoever they are – no details of who plays for them were included. Just to even it up, I can report Wrexham lost 5-0 to Chelsea's has-beens and could-bes in their previous game. Other heavy pre-season defeats for teams in our division include: Crawley 1 – 9 Portsmouth; Bristol City 8 – 0 Newport County; Stockport County 0 - 4 Huddersfield. As for Mansfield, their scheduled pre-season game against Barnsley has been cancelled because Barnsley's manager thought his players would benefit more from squad training. Ouch!

It kind of puts Town's 2-1 defeat to second division Hull City in perspective. If Town can get a decent result at Blundell Park against Lincoln tomorrow night – hopefully a proper 90-minute game rather than the four quarters nonsense – I'll be content.

Finally, the club have released a "Getting to Know You" feature on Harry Clifton – presumably the first in a series. For those of you without access to Mariners TV I bring you news that his favourite band is The Stone Roses, favourite actor is Mark Wahlberg (good choice, Harry) and his guilty pleasure is listening to Whitney Houston. If you want to know more, you'll just have to shell out the £45 for a season pass.

UTM