Cod Almighty | Postbag
Letterly
22 November 2015
A sudden flurry of letters. What's come over us?
Vigorous congratulations
Pat Bell's evocative piece captured perfectly the excitement of Town's run to the FA Cup 5th round in 1988/89. Admittedly I'm a bit late on this one, but in the interest of accuracy I would like to put on record my abiding memory of Town's 2-1 win at Middlesbrough in round three.
Alan Buckley may well have seen Boro fans applauding Town's players off the pitch at the end of that remarkable victory but in the away corner next to Boro's more partisan support that certainly wasn't the case.
Until Marc North's late goals they seemed magnanimous enough but at the final whistle, and perhaps in response to a chorus of "Bye Bye Boro", the atmosphere changed. On exiting Ayresome Park the away support was compelled to wait between two rows of police either side of a line of coaches as angry Boro fans attempted to gain access to them. It was reminiscent of an old cowboy film with coaches for wagons and Boro fans as Indians.
If they wanted to congratulate us they wanted to do it vigorously.
from Lee Johnson
Jinx nix
I thought I was as bad as Rich Lord but after the Welling game I know I'm not. Or was that the exception which proves the rule or something?
Dunno, but I now have something of a dilemma. Do I go and watch Town again and risk jinxing them or retire while on top?
from Rich Mills
An offer Retro Diary can't refuse
Dear Retro Diary,
As a Town fan exiled in Manchester I have recently started to read the CA blogs with great interest. I find them a good way to keep up with the comings and goings of the club without reading press releases from the club's PR team and also a way to stay connected to my fellow Town fans.
Your blog on 30 October sparked my interest for another reason; because it involved the club I work for, FC United. I'm the club's first team physiotherapist and have been for seven years. While I felt you respected the club's position regarding our televised game with Chesterfield, I believe you're a little wide of the mark when it comes to the club's relationship with it's "big brother".
This email is not intended to tell you that you're wrong or that the questions you raised are invalid. Instead it's an invitation to come to the club, as my guest. Come and meet the people who started this club and people like me, who came along with an interest in what the club was about and instantly "got it" (a phrase used often round here). Personally I feel Town fans and FC United share a lot in common (even how televised football damaged their clubs). Come have a look round, watch the match then have a pint with me and help to explain to all these Mancs how Danny Coyne is the greatest Welshman who ever lived.
Yours sincerely
from Sam Rhoades
Letters Ed responds: The rest of the CA team are urging Retro Diary to accept this invitation.
In praise of Garth Lane
I have similar thoughts to today's diary.
My wife, with no interest in GTFC apart from through her dad, me and our son, believes that the Garth Lane site, owned by those rich landowners ABP would provide a great place for the new stadium. This would regenerate the town centre. ABP have no intention of using the land, which is a mess. Why not give it to the club at a nominal fee in return for naming rights.
The site is close to bus routes, train station and the A180. A stadium there would bring business to town centre pubs and takeaways restaurants. It would be at the heart of the town, which sure needs a lift.
from Martin Robinson
Ooh aah, Lloyd Griffith
Are you sure this Lloyd fella is being true about the length of his love affair with Man United?
His article features a picture with Eric Cantona, supposedly from 1994. But in a shirt that wasn't released until 1996.
Questions needs to be asked.
from Geoff Lamp
Thanks to everyone who has written. Send your letters through our feedback page