Cod Almighty | Diary

Let's get it done

16 April 2024

I'm firmly in that group of fans who are not yet counting their chickens. I know in my head we should do it. I hope in my heart we will do it but as Town fans we've had so many downs over the years that I'll only cherish safety if and when we get there. I still can't quite believe that we are aspiring to safety but that's where we are so let's get it done. One more point will do it, so let's get it tonight and then we can celebrate on Saturday. I can't make the game this evening so I will treat myself to a Mariners TV match pass.

Talking of match passes, I can't say I’m thrilled that Sky will be broadcasting Football League fixtures for five years starting next season. Ten Football League games will be shown for each round, five from the second tier and then five more from the lowest two leagues. The 3pm Saturday ban on broadcasting remains in place so that's ten games a weekend that will be automatically moved from the usual slot. We know how that goes, don't we? Consideration of fans is last on the list when decisions are made about moving games. Sky are promising longer notice periods for changes to kick-off times and days but who knows what they will actually do. I imagine there will also be the 'favoured' teams who are on frequently. We can guess who they will be.

A friend's husband who was a regular at Blundell Park before the lockdown games now always watches via a VPN that shows him as in Spain rather than northern Lincolnshire. Anyone with the IT knowledge can set that up for themselves and if I'm aware of a few people who do it, there must be many more. I do wonder if the 3pm Saturday ban makes much difference to numbers attending games nowadays. It might be wet and miserable at times in Blundell Park but I'd always rather be there watching if I can. The majority of people I know would too.

At least the domestic audio services remain as they are, which is a relief for us exiles who can't get the commentaries on Humberside. Plus the existing audio-visual arrangements stay for international audiences, which is good. We were abroad for a couple of Town games at the start of the month and as we were a group of eight Town fans on holiday together we watched both games via Mariners TV. It must be such a valuable service for Town fans who live abroad.

Both Harvey Rodgers and Curtis Thompson made the Sky Bet League Team of the week for their performances on Saturday. Congratulations to both of them. I'm just pleased they have contracts for next season. In fact I hope that Thompson is offered an extension beyond June 2025. Danny Rose too whilst I'm thinking about it. I think they will be that good for us.

UTM!