Cod Almighty | Diary

The Gossip

21 May 2025

It’s mid-May, a Wednesday, and I’m staring blankly at the screen wondering what on earth to write. Town’s season has been over for a few weeks, the sun is shining and we’ve arrived in that odd post-season purgatory.

There is just one game left in the division four season. The play-off final on Monday sees Wimbledon take on Walsall. I suppose. I hope Wimbledon win for the sake of lower league solidarity but then again, Walsall are a fairly inoffensive club and a bit closer.

Down in the National League, the play-offs have yet again been unpredictable. York’s total implosion last night was a real shame, mainly because it’s robbed us of a potentially fun day out in a great city. I felt for Alex Hunt after his fatal mistake gifted Oldham a goal, which proved to be too much for them to recover from. Oldham must be confident after two convincing wins as the progress to play the winners of tonight's semi-final between Southend and Forest Green. I have no idea when the final is. From memory I think it’s about three days before everyone else starts preseason.

That’s all I have newswise. In the absence of anything specifically Town related I’m going to have share some semi-plausible red hot gossip, fresh from my very reliable, definitely-not-made-up sources:

Chairman Andrew Pettit has confirmed that Jason Daði Svanþórsson now qualifies as 'homegrown' after meeting the relevant visa criteria. This reportedly opens the door for another foreign signing this summer. The club are reportedly looking at Stjarnan FC midfield general Ragnar Lothbrok [sounds like one of those made-up Russell Slade triallists so can't tell if this fake or not. Will leave it in to pretend we are keeping up with current events - CA editorial team, c/o the beach] 

Alternatively other sources suggest David Artell has been spotted boarding a flight to Armenia. He is there to scout Serbian goalkeeper Đorđe Rajković, currently playing for Shirak FC. Notably, Rajković is the only professional still active after undergoing a double knee replacement. He’s expected to be Town’s No.1 next season[see above note - ed]

Denver Hume is mulling over a contract from a division three club. The left back has been spotted discussing terms with Charles Vernam in Starbucks on Park Street, and again with locals while ordering haddock at Wybers Chippy. The sticking point appears to be the inclusion of a complimentary railcard in the deal for his Cleethorpes-based partner.

Town are being strongly linked with National League winger Justin Soy Unperedor—a player already dubbed "the new Charles Ademeno" by excitable fans who’ve seen a blurry YouTube clip.[Justin Soy? This is getting out of hand - ed]

Rekeil Pyke is set to sign for Fleetwood Town. The full-back turned striker struggled with injuries during his time in Grimsby, but it’s widely accepted that he will instantly become a 20-goal-a-season striker and be shortlisted for Player of the Year.

Finally, former striker Omar Bogle has been heavily linked with a return to the club for a record 85th transfer window in a row. That’s all for now. The off-season might be slow, but the rumour mill never sleeps. Keep your eyes peeled, your haddock battered, and your expectations unrealistic.