Articles by Ron Counte

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Knowing Us, Knowing Ron Counte

22 November 2022

Ron Counte recounts bothering George Moulson and stalking Siriki in Sainsbury's. He may have been drinking, obviously

Walking down the Grimsby Road: Book review

1 September 2022

Essential history for younger fans, a wonderful evocation for those who were there. Ron Counte enjoys reliving Town's 1971-72 championship campaign

The enchanted Forest

22 August 2022

It's not just an attractive cup tie. For Ron Counte a meeting with Nottingham Forest is a spiritual experience

Bless thy neighbour

10 August 2022

Our trade in players with Scunthorpe United says a lot about the clubs' changes in status over the years. Ron Counte examines the trends

A tale of two finals

28 July 2022

There are uncanny similarities between the 2016 and 2022 play-off finals. The difference is that this time we won't squander our success, writes Ron Counte

Helter-skelter: Town's return to the Football League

24 July 2022

Kick-started by one amazing comeback, it ended with a three peaks challenge. Ron Counte recalls the test of character that was our return to the Football League

The curious case of Jamille Matt

30 November 2021

His winning goal against Notts County was a rare highlight in Matt's Town career, but he has flourished since. Ron Counte wonders why

A time capsule

18 August 2020

A match programme from 1958 provides Ron Counte with a fascinating glimpse into the past

Champions! A delight

25 May 2020

Champions!, Rob McIlveen's book on 1979-80 takes you back in time to a season you long to relive, says Ron Counte

False dawn?

12 August 2019

In August 2018, after a draw against likely promotion contenders, hopes were high for the Mariners. But, says Ron Counte, there is no comparison between the side now and then

Comeback kings

9 May 2019

Liverpool, Tottenham... and Grimsby Town. As Ron Counte recalls, we have our own history of turning the tables

Game changer: Grimsby's close-season needs

5 May 2019

Michael Jolley wants to bring Town into line with modern trends in football. Ron Counte considers how he must strengthen his squad

Happy anniversary, Mr Jolley

11 March 2019

Michael Jolley has now completed 46 league games as Grimsby manager. Ron Counte reflects on his progress

A hero and the price he paid: Matt Tees and dementia

8 November 2018

Matt Tees made a generation of fans fall in love with Grimsby Town, but at a price. Ron Counte remembers

April showers

1 August 2018

Last season Town fans experienced every possible emotion in one remarkable month. Ron Counte will never forget how it felt

Parklife: a seventies childhood on Sussex Rec

24 July 2018

"We played football. Lots of it. Every day." Ron Counte remembers the long summer holidays of the early 1970s

The blame game

15 May 2018

Two years after regaining our place in the Football League, why was it so nearly lost again? Ron Counte considers who is to blame

Time and the Coventrys

22 March 2018

Coventry City illustrate how football has changed since 1973, when Ron Counte went there to his first away game

A Cambridge too far

19 February 2018

Not 'pass and go' but 'pass and don't know'. Ron Counte is alarmed by Town's showing at Cambridge

The carrier

22 November 2017

Is supporting the Mariners contagious? Ron Counte suspects he is the living proof

The lowest of the low

17 October 2017

Blundell Park must look up to every other ground in the League. Ron Counte explains why

Seasons in the sun

3 August 2017

When you started watching shapes your expectations of the Mariners' league status. Ron Counte explains

We are not Worthy

5 July 2017

Encounters with your Mariners heroes don't always go how you would like, or expect. Ron Counte shares his embarrassments

Good night, sweet Hurst

6 June 2017

Six months on from his departure, we are now ready to appraise Paul Hurst on his merits. Ron Counte reflects

The night the crowd changed ends

30 May 2017

A 5-2 win should stick in the mind, and it does. But not because of the goals. Ron Counte remembers a strange night at Spotland

What if... Laws and Bonetti were friends

18 May 2017

You'll find it hard to believe, but Brian Laws and Ivano Bonetti once nearly fell out. Ron Counte tells all

What if... Amond's penalty had been saved?

3 May 2017

Had the Braintree keeper remained on his feet, Lincolnshire football might look very different today, says Ron Counte

What if... Russell Slade had never left?

11 April 2017

The 2006 play-off final might have gone the other way. Ron Counte imagines

Under the flyover: Town's Conference years

2 August 2016

Grimsby's six years in non-League have passed like a bad dream. Ron Counte looks back.

A man out of a Moulson

20 June 2016

In the late 60s, a Grimsby legend took a hand in the footballing education of his young neighbour