Cod Almighty | Article
by Steve Bierley
5 January 2016
Steve Bierley has stumbled on an early draft of John Fenty's new year's message...
Dear Friends
A belated Happy New Year to every supporter who has done so much over the past 12 months to ensure our place in the elite half of the non-League’s premier division. And yes, I’m still here too.
I have to say that I was rather miffed that We Are Town ended in 2002 because, as a fan, I feel so much part of the book and obviously now have the great honour of being close to the helm. I so look forward to the follow-up when my small part may be acknowledged.
I know it is sometimes difficult, as a fan, to comprehend exactly what is going on behind the scenes or, as Paul is fond of saying: “It’s only us players that knows what’s going on on the pitch.” And, I suppose, it is we privileged few in the boardroom who see the full picture off it.
Many of you will know how fond Paul is of his computer, and how he spends hours tracking down the most obscure of players. Only the other day, after I had once again been be-moaning the On Digital fiasco, he came up with the table for the season after the crash, Of the the 24 clubs in the 2002/2003 season five are now in the Premiership, 11 still in the Championship, five in League One and only two in League Two. We, of course, are the odd ones out.
The average tenure of a League manager is only two seasons, so I told Paul how lucky it was we dropped out of the League
But, as I said to Paul, the average tenure of a League manager these days is only about two seasons, and he has been with us for more than four now, so he should think himself lucky we dropped out of the League. Oh, how we laughed.
But to be serious. I think we can all agree what a splendid job Paul has and is doing. I know some people find him a bit dour, even prickly, but he wants success every bit as much as I do. Quite honestly I get a bit fed up of some of the moaning minnies and also, I have to say, the media. All that fuss about Ferriby winning the Trophy last season.
Sometimes, when I occasionally listen to the BBC Humberside sports programmes my wife records for me, I begin to wonder if they have any inkling of our success in recent seasons. I do feel they are always looking for the negative and Paul thinks so too. In fact we rarely disagree about anything.
Thank goodness you, the loyal fans, recognise all our efforts and have coughed up accordingly. Paul tells me we are doing pretty much as well as the last two season at this stage of the fixtures, and feels it is only a matter of time before Cheltenham crack, just as Barnet never quite did last season.
I will say nothing of the plans for our new stadium for the present. As Paul jokingly said the other day, they are about as likely to come to fruition as the team getting promotion. Oh, how we laughed.
Well, Paul and Chris have about finished cleaning my car, so I will sign off with this, the non-chairman’s non-New Year Message, and see you all again next year. Same time, same place.