My first game was in 1977, but I probably would only have called myself a fan starting from the 79/80 season. In my first full year we won the Third
Division Championship. Little did I know I would have to wait another 18
years for the next piece of silverware - the Auto Windscreen Shield in 1998.
Why support Grimsby?
It's my home town, the first team I ever watched regularly, and a continual
part of my life since the age of 10 (what else can you say that of, other
than your family?). I'm proud to be from Grimsby, and supporting the
football club is partly a reflection of that. Plus I dislike big clubs
generally and could never support a "fashionable" club, so Grimsby fit the
bill ideally being probably the archetypal unfashionable team, a place where
everyone hates to go!
Are you disappointed with how your season's gone?
A little. I felt we had the squad this season to challenge for a place at
the top of the table. However, maybe that was a little unrealistic after two
successive relegations and an almost total change of personnel.
Unfortunately in today's game the turnover of players is so huge at this
level that we're probably going to have a very different side once again
next season, so I could be saying the same thing this time next year. If
only we could return to the days where we brought in 2-3 players at most in
the summer!
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There have been very few. The odd win here and there (like winning away at Cambridge after almost a year without a win on our travels!) has been
memorable, but otherwise we've never put a decent run together all year. Two exits to non-league sides in the cups and the failure to win any of the
Lincolnshire derbies (THE big one - Scunny at home - is yet to come, mind) so far have also been a disappointment.
Is there anyone in particular you blame for the successive relegations leading up to this campaign?
The collapse of ITV Digital was a major blow that we are still recovering
from. 55% of our income disappeared overnight. I feel sacking Alan Buckley
in 2000 was also a mistake. We have never replaced him, and he kept Town in Division One for almost a decade.
What's the general consensus on your manager, former Notts caretaker Russell Slade?
Could do better. He's stopped the rot, bought in a few good players, but the
style of football and a bewildering number of formations employed are hard
to take for a crowd brought up on 4-4-2 and a passing game. He's probably
about the best manager Grimsby could afford, without going for a total
unknown and picking a former player (which we tried last season, enough
said).
How's former Magpies' loanee Andy Parkinson done for you?
Parky always gives 100% and is undoubtedly one of the most committed players in the squad. Slade has played him out of position as a striker almost all season, but since he's moved to the wing he's been more effective. The worst part of Parky's game is his finishing - he's missed a hatful of goals for us this season!
Give us some thoughts on your current playing squad.
We've got 2 or 3 players who are not good enough (Williams, Bull, Jones),
and 2 or 3 that don't really want to be at the club (Crane, Hockless).
Replace those and we'd have a decent team!
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Reddy and Gritton up front are a dangerous strike force and work well
together. Unfortunately they've not played together that much this year
through injuries. In defence Terrell Forbes and Simon Ramsden (pictured right during his time at Notts) are both classy players. Pinault is our "flair" player in midfield, and makes the team tick on a good day - if he is allowed!
What kind of away following should we expect?
Around 200-300 I would have thought. It's fairly close but there's not much
to play for. We'd bring nearer 1000 if it were an important game I'm sure.
What hopes do you have for next season?
Number one to stay in business and pay off our tax debt, that has to be top priority. I'd like to hope that we can assemble a squad as good as the one at the start of this season. If we do that and get off to a good start we've got the potential to be in the top few.
Do you have any pre-conceptions about Notts County?
Been up and down the divisions. Lots of financial problems over recent
years. Oldest football club. Great stadium. Like us should be playing a
division higher at least. Black and white stripes! A lot in common with
Grimsby, in short (apart from the ground)!
As far as the City goes, I used to live in Nottingham when I was at University. Everyone in the East Midlands always seems to address you as "me duck" for some reason, so I'll be looking forward to hearing that again!
What did you think to the two sides' earlier meeting this season, in which Grimsby won 3-2?
I think we were winning three times and you kept equalising. It was a very
tense and nervy game, but we just about shaded it.
Finally, a scoreline prediction?
1-1. Grimsby to break their scoring duck with a goal in the first half.
County equaliser with 15 minutes to go.