Cod Almighty | Diary

From Cumbria to Kent

1 October 2024

The league table may not lie, but at the start of October it is economical with the truth. Town are twelfth, below the four teams who have beaten us, above the four who we beat, but draws with Chesterfield, Fleetwood and Bradford City would have been enough to reverse our respective positions, as would victory over Barrow and Notts County or defeat by Bromley or Cheltenham. The table is still pliable, our position sent plummeting by a few seconds' absent-mindedness, or soaring in a moment of inspiration.

That said, let's recognise tonight's game at Gillingham for what it is: a visit to the fourth-flight leaders and the chance to establish ourselves among the promotion contenders. It is a hit to nothing: avoid catastrophe and no harm will be done, but there is a chance for someone to make their name. It is a stretch to invoke Jim Dobbin and the shades of Kevin Keegan's Newcastle, but an FA Cup winner's medal and an England cap fade into insignificance alongside Dave Beasant's career highlight, his loan spell with Town which began with that match 22 years ago this month.

It so happens that last weekend Newbegin Diary's research reached the FA Cup semi-final of 1939, putting goalkeeping crises to the front of my mind even before I learnt of Jake Eastwood's injury and Sebastian Auton's debut. To get the full story, you'll have to buy the book (available in good bookshops the Christmas after next, as I've been every year for the last three years), but to remind you: after George Tweedy went down with flu, George Moulson was called up to make his first-team debut before a gate of 76,962 the next day. When he was concussed in the semi-final, Town were unable to arrange an emergency loan so the great centre forward Pat Glover kept goal at Charlton four days later before the youth goalkeeper Tom Anderson was promoted to Division One duty next weekend. Two debutants and an outfielder in three games: whether it is Auton in goal or a last-minute loan on duty tonight, we'll be getting off lightly.

On the off-chance that Jake Eastwood reads Cod Almighty, our best wishes for a speedy recovery, and also a brief acknowledgement to the Cumbrian press for refraining from click-bait. A few too many writers with pages to fill and advertisers to attract might have been tempted to manufacture a row out of Dave Artell's criticism of Carlisle's goals, but he was careful to make clear that it was a design in widespread use, and his comments were reported responsibly.

Cheers.