Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Thursday 27 May 2004

27 May 2004

Russell Slade is expected to be the man named as Town's fifth full-time manager of the 21st century when Peter Furneaux announces the filling of the vacancy at a press conference tomorrow. Radio Humberside has reported that Slade was in talks all day yesterday with Furneaux's heir apparent John Fenty, and the club has called the great and the good of the sports media in to Blundell Park to hear the news at 10 o'clock on Friday morning. "We won't speculate, we'll bring you the facts," promises Town's official website, which, sure enough, was the first outlet to mention Slade in connection with the job earlier this week, although when concerned Scarborough fans phoned GTFC yesterday for the goss, they were informed that their manager hadn't been interviewed at all and it was all just, well, speculation... I dunno, Tony - it's one thing nicking their manager, but feeding 'em porkies on top is a bit harsh really...

The news of Slade's imminent accession to the Blundell Park throne is already propelling some messageboard contributors into FERNAUX OUT! apoplexy, and although the Diary is not about to tear up its season ticket, or wouldn't if I had one, a few more details about the Mariners' new manager certainly wouldn't go amiss. Where was he a player? Where was he born? Does he prefer passing football to the direct game? And does he put his milk in last when he makes a cup of tea? Diary readers who can fill in any gaps are urged to email diary@codalmighty.com, as background information about Slade seems pretty thin on the ground, or at least too thin for me to get hold of seeing as I've got loads of work to do this week, so I might as well get some of you lot to do the googling for me, eh.

"Grimsby announce Nicky Law's contract as manager will not be extended for next season," reveals the BBC Humber website. Cheers for that.

"Never written to you before," writes Dick of Legbourne, "but a mate of mine in London states The Times this week reckons Peter Shirtliff - ex Charlton (the London link) and Sheff Wed - is being lined up for the vacant gaffers job. Not a name I've heard mentioned in the menagerie of out-of-work and desperate folk applying for the job." Nice to hear from you, Dick; thanks for the mail. The Diary can't get on with tabloids, so I'm not sure what's been in the Times, but it all looks a bit Nicky Law now anyway, doesn't it? As in redundant. Dick's email is dated 26 May 2003, so either the clock needs fixing on his computer or people had the knives out for Paul Groves with quite indecent haste.