Cod Almighty | Diary

You say McARRRRTie, I say McAtee, let's call the whole thing off

15 February 2022

I seem to have a Vanarama player of the week to mention every diary I write recently. This week it's McAtee, McAtee, Johnny McAtee and it's another one well deserved. We really do have some good footballers and when we overcome the opposition tactics we are more than capable of decent results. I did smile at someone I overheard at the ground refer to McARRRtie and wondered if we have all got it wrong but I'm thinking probably not.

I also smiled/winced at the announcer in the game against King's Lynn. It's a tough job when you have to read names out loud and everyone hears your mistakes. In a job I had a few years ago we would ask and then write them phonetically if needed. Maybe Town could do the same. Maybe Malachi (Mal-Archie at Town games) Linton is used to it but if it was me it would make me determined to put in a decent performance. I'm too picky? Probably, and I don't blame the announcer, but it's just good manners.

Think I was people watching on Saturday because after we had purchased our hotdogs (not smothered in salsa and jalapenos this time but very delicious pulled pork) the little old lady behind us had her "usual" steak pie. It got me thinking that she could have been doing that for decades and how lovely it is that so many generations go to the football. For all the rhubarb about football being a game followed by hooligans, where are the stories in the national press about little old ladies going every week for a chat, a steak pie and a win. It's not news is it?

As a woman at football I do go with my other half and a friend but I've gone for years at different times of my life on my own, with a female friend and then with a small child. I can honestly say that the only time I have felt intimidated at a Town game was when we played QPR away in a cup game in the early 80s and the police horses turned and galloped towards us for no discernible reason. Fans had to dive out of the way. It has only just occurred to me that it was a tactic refined and used later during the miners' strike. Anyway, back to footy, it brings me great joy to see the children both with family or in their little groups at the games. Long may it continue.

If you're a shareholder you will be able to log in to a virtual question and answer session with Jason Stockwood, Andrew Pettit and Debbie Cook at the end of the month. I don't have any burning questions but I'm interested to observe and hear where they are hoping to take the club in the coming years. They appear to be working hard to improve the organisational infrastructure at the club and this will almost certainly reap benefits. A partnership with Loughborough (occasionally heard locally as Lugabaruga) University to build an evidence-based culture. Who would have thought it at Grimsby Town? UTM!