Cod Almighty | Diary

May the fifth be with you

12 April 2021

Miss Guest Diary writes: Watching a live stream from Trent Bridge yesterday as Nottinghamshire clung on to the hope of a draw against Durham and the sleet came down outside my window, it crossed my mind to hope that the weather front would head south and rescue Notts. But that thought was immediately replaced by another: that the players wouldn't want to be rescued by nature, they'd want to do it themselves, or fail trying.

This must surely also be true for Paul Hurst and his team. Some fans wasted their time and emotional energy last week on chasing down rumours of misfortunes occurring to our relegation rivals which could result in a get-out-of-jail-free card for Town. I feel sure that people who become sports professionals would always prefer to make the effort to rescue themselves. Regrettably, when that effort raises emotions to such a level that players fall out on the pitch – as happened at Bradford on Saturday – it's no help to anyone.

I have to admit I didn't have high hopes for Saturday’s game any way – I have been to Valley Parade quite a few times over the years and have never seen Town get better than a scrappy draw. With Colchester losing and Southend drawing, the mountain we have to climb is not much steeper than it was last week. I am keeping the faith for a bit longer.

That's enough of on-pitch matters for now. The off-field news from the weekend was positive enough to reconcile a lot of people to the prospect of relegation, at least for a while.

On Saturday morning, when I received the papers relating to the completion of the buy-out of John Fenty by Messrs Stockwood and Pettit I couldn't help having a wry little smile. Of all the Cod Almighty diarists, I am the one who has taken the least interest in and has the highest level of indifference to the reign of our local entrepreneur, yet I get to have first comment on the meeting which should ensure his exit from the club on 5 May.

I have never subscribed to the image of Mr Fenty as a deliberately malign figure at the club. To me he has always appeared to be a small town businessman out of his depth and clinging to the wreckage. I see his dismal failure to secure for himself the permanent legacy of a new ground as attributable to incompetence, and the demise of Town as a playing force an unintended consequence of that mismanagement. Now, in Jason Stockwood, Town are to have as chair a big city businessman with an impressive track record.

Reading the aims of 1878 Partners, the company owned by Messrs Stockwood and Pettit, gave me a little swell of pride. Even the name of the company seems perfect. They want to "modernise the values, operations and capabilities... take GTFC up through the professional divisions and re-establish GTFC at the heart of the community." Doubly reassuring is the cautious attitude expressed towards a move from Blundell Park. No rash promises but a commitment to "explore the prospect of bringing the Mariners home to a new community stadium in Grimsby, provided that this can be delivered in a financially viable and sustainable manner."

I dare say some will be disappointed that new ownership won't immediately translate to a new ground but I applaud the prioritising of an upgrade to the training facilities. This is where the players and coaching staff spend the majority of their working lives. Improving this environment can only be a good thing for improving their performances and increasing the willingness of players to sign for the club. But can I just put in a little word for some hot water in the ladies toilets before next winter, please.

And what happened to Notts? Well, the bad weather didn't reach Trent Bridge, but they didn't need it anyway – a batting recovery saw Notts earn a well-deserved draw. Maybe Town will manage something similar. Here's hoping.

UTM.