Cod Almighty | Postbag
Back in the saddle
26 June 2025
First day of preseason and number one on the checklist is dive into the postbag. Here we go...
Praise for Tony
What a masterful piece by Tony Butcher on the underrated maestro which was Paul Groves. Everything Tony alludes to was true of Paul...an unsung hero. Rock solid.
Can't say anymore that Tony has said.
from Tony Barker
Letters Ed responds: Thanks Tony, we'll pass on your kind words.
Praise for CA
As a Womble I discovered your blog after your last game of the season. You are quite simply a genius. The Stewart Hall of football blogging without I hope the extremely unsavoury aspects of Mr Hall's personality. I hope to be following you from afar next season but sadly suspect I'll be witnessing at least two of your games.
Have a great summer.
Philip
from Philip Nathan
Letters Ed responds: Well Philip, thank you. This makes us extra happy for you Wombles and your Wembley win. All the best and enjoy your promotion.
Promotion hopes dashed
Ref Diary 29th April 2025
This had me thinking back to the Buckley days 1990 and 1991 double promotion seasons. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, except this kind of first hand experience that lives in the memory 36 years later.
Starting with the less memorable 1989 promotion push, something clicked in February/March 1990, derbys against Scunthorpe and Lincoln, a set back against Peterborough? I think I remember that? Anyway, the last game v Wrexham was strangely a passive affair, not a FULL ground, but enough atmosphere to make it memorable. It felt like a done deal, it was a done deal. A blinder by Birtles, again, I remember that, but if I read a report and it doesn't mention him, thems the tricks memories play. Back then, to me, it felt great to be back after a 10 year gap from the last promotions and the preceding golden era from when I was too little to see it.
The last game of 1990/91 was obviously the benchmark game of a full ground for fans of my era. 14,000? Dunno. But. Full to the gunnels. 2-0 at half time, a reply from Exeter early in the second half, no memorable threat from them after that, and the final whistle. I'm sure I have mentioned before, the referee was Kelvin Morton, and I had a pre match dinner with him at WC France 1998 and reminded him of the game. He said he edged towards the tunnel before he blew for full time, minimised the gap, blew and ran like hell. Possibly the single last great home experience? That, and a few cup wins and a few league spectaculars, but not many.
I also remember the first home game back in Division 2 v Cambridge. Lost 3-4, it was a sunny late summer Saturday, cans from Small Beer on the way. The Cambridge era of Beck, Phillpott, Dublin et al. All 3 touch football. Keeper, wideman, forward. Goal.
Be really good if Town can perform in front of a full house this season, the reward would only be a Playoff spot, and i'm being 100% honest, it would be nice but dubious reward for a patchy successful season. Maybe we need the break, some luck? But the squad is thin, and thin on goals, hence the patchiness this season. In the back of my mind though, getting Eastwood and Vernam back is a massive positive, right time right place? Lets hope so. Party like its playoffs 2022!
TTFN
from Ian Jackson
Letters Ed responds: Ian, we're embarassed by how late we are to these nice memories Many thanks for sharing and hopefully the message will apply this coming season, with 2024-25 being filed away with 1988-89.
Podcast recommendation
It doesn't have Gary Lineker presenting or his company producing it. It is BBC, Scotland.
Romanov: Czar of Hearts. A cautionary tale of careful what you wish for.
Give it a go. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0027wx2
from Ian Jackson
Things that were, so will always be?
Things that were, so will always be? That struck me cold, it really did. We do that don't we? We really do. I'd be certain other places do it too, but it doesn't work locally so we'll ignore it :-)
My proviso is that 'things can be something before you knew them the first time, as well', which adds complexity to the preceding generation playing the game
Prestos, not Wilkos
The Dolphin, not whatever its called now
The 45 bus, not the 5
I'll always say Schuberts before being corrected
Market Hotel roundabout, not Tesco roundabout
The tip, but they call it Macauley Park now, and built houses on it
This is a good laugh, might turn it into pub conversation, next time i'm out. Having said that, I might clear the bar in the process :-( Willys is still called Willys isn't it
from Ian Jackson