The Postbag

All Town Aren't We?

9 March 2022

You can take them out of Grimsby but you can't take Town out of them!

Many thanks

I was privileged enough to be invited to the boardroom after the Woking game, along with more esteemed members of the Cod Almighty 'team' to celebrate 20 years of Cod Almighty.

First and foremost - many thanks to all for the invite, and those responsible for making it happen. It's another example of the difference in how the club is run now - welcomed with open arms, and it was a nice touch from Mr Stockwood to want to hear from everyone, and the roles they've done and do. Furthermore the time was enhanced with other board members, and the manager - whom kindly took time to speak and interact. Very much appreciated - and it goes without saying that it works both ways. A club without its fans just won't work - you need to build a relationship and right now this club is at the start of a time in which they know, value and appreciate its followers. That is reciprocated in the fans are thankful, understanding and more than appreciate the work that is going on from the board, trust and staff, with particular reference to Kristine Green whom plays many a vital role and a 'link' from club to fans.

What I would like to mention is Cod Almighty is, and has been, a very important tool - not only for those who reside in other areas for the interaction, but also for 'regulars' - be it the quality and topic of articles, to the fantastic match reports from Tony each week. But more importantly - it brings people together. Just from my own perspective, from going to Town games - I've met, got to know, and consider them as friends - people from all around the country - who've a mutual love and passion for Grimsby Town. There's people I sit with and near at games, people who I 'know' via social media having never met - some of whom it was great to see yesterday. Moreover - there’s an age range that is wide (no offence) and it was lovely to hear a young chap whom now writes for the website - introduce himself, and receive encouragement to continue to do what he’s doing, and develop his skills.

None of this would have been possible without a few people - namely Simon Wilson, Pete Green and Rich Mills - who couldn't be there on the evening - and I'd like to publicly say thanks. Their work over the years is rightly appreciated, as is their friendship. To Pat, Pete, Tony, Sue, Mark - and everyone else. Congratulations for 20 years, it was and is a pleasure to spend time with you, having got to know you through football - that is a message that speaks volumes, and one I feel the club now is encapsulating on.

All the best

from Jason Ives

Letters Ed responds: Thanks, Jason

To Bee or not to Bee?

There couldn't have been a more opportune time to read Cod Almighty's contribution in the Woking programme and reflect on what being a Town fan is all about.

I bought a Brentford season ticket in January 2020 in a reaction to the Fenty regime and froze it until 2021-22 by which time he had been deposed. There was nothing to stop me renewing at Town and I just had to hope that Premier League rescheduling would mean there weren't too many home fixture clashes. Thankfully, that is the way it has turned out.

Now I have to decide whether to renew at Brentford in a few weeks to keep my seat at the impressive new stadium and by April to retain the right to buy a season ticket at all. Given these circumstances, it is, of course, no contest.

No matter where the Mariners are in 2022-23, I'll be submitting myself to more punishment in the Upper Findus. It isn't down to Brentford's form. While I earned the right to watch the Bees in the first tier having also watched them through thin and thinner, Town is where I ultimately belong. There is no escaping that and I don't want to.

When I travelled down to watch the game against Newcastle, I met a friend at King's Cross and was more than slightly tempted to change my plans and cross the road to jump on a train to Dover. While I loved the atmosphere and football when the Bees beat Arsenal in their first capacity crowd at the Brentford Community Stadium, I was bursting with pride more when Town took to the field against Weymouth, adding to the enjoyment of seeing old comrades for the first time in 18 months or more. As an avid collector of football memorabilia, I was disappointed not to get one of the free scarves being given out. Seeing that, the club shop sourced one for me and gave it to me after the game. The same staff always asked how my dad and I were when he was in his final illness. That’s the personal touch. When I opted for Town v Aldershot instead of Brentford v Palace I was glad I had done so if only to be there when one of the staff worked their last matchday.

Brentford is a top community club but I have never personally known any of the back-office staff. At one time you'd be asked why you were bothering to try and buy an away ticket when the team was playing badly. That was when they'd finished their personal phone calls. I once finally managed to get an FA Cup ticket at Hinckley and arranged for it to be brought up on the coach but only after the club had tried to dissuade me saying it was live on BBC1 anyway!

Talking of awaydays, the Notts County game will be hard to surpass. That beat any top flight experience, as did the exciting match at Altrincham. 'Old school', for want of a better expression, and one used by Bees fans in the FA Cup match at Port Vale where the away section consisted of diehards. Quite a few of them miss Division 2 as much as we do. I don’t recognise most away fans at Brentford now and it reminds me that I know a far higher proportion of Grimsby’s travelling support which was substantially higher than that of the Bees before lockdown. Town fans go to an away match and the Bees to a circus when it’s the likes of Man City. I honestly expected a ringmaster to enter the field of play as acrobats swung from one stand to the other such was the hype generated. You can’t help feeling your senses are bombarded in case you see through the façade. Most top flight games are pretty average with just a better class of acting when cheating. The physios are probably members of RADA [An acting college, the Royal Academy for the Dramatic Arts, in case you don't know - ed] given their part in the charades. Needless to say, I won’t try for a ticket at Man Utd. Town are at Barnet that day.

Don’t get me wrong, it's been a privilege watching Brentford this season and there have been some cracking games but apart from Notts County, my best moments this season have tended to be at Grimsby matches with last-minute goals against Barnet and Woking serving as punishment for gamesmanship (something you don't see sanctioned in the first flight) and the third against Wrexham where fans piled down from the rows behind us to join in our particularly wild celebrations. Priceless.

Pricey too. Some of us made a commitment a few years ago to buy club merchandise after every home win. I must have every conceivable scarf and hat along with two different sized Mighty Mariners and more mugs than you find in what were Red Wall seats.

I have some good friends down at Brentford and look forward to future visits. I’ll miss having a top flight season ticket but Town always have first claim on me. We're family. We don’t always get on but we love each other nonetheless.

UTM

from Chris Smith

Letters Ed responds: Thanks, Chris

Do you really really like Grimsby Town too? Do you want to tell us about it? Because we'd sure love to hear it.