Some players have bizarre matchday rituals/superstitions. What are yours?

I believe that all of the rituals and superstitions are pointless but, just in case they do help, I repeat my route to BP after a win, make sure I wear the same jeans, the same top and buy a 50/50 ticket at every game till we lose, then don’t buy one until we lose again.

What is the funniest thing you have seen/heard at a football match?

On the pitch I would have to say the own goal Doncaster scored against us in the JPT the season before last. While not actually heard at a match nothing comes close to some of the commentary on the early 90’s highlights videos!

Have you ever made a fool of yourself whilst supporting The Mariners?

Probably, more times than I realise! The one that springs to mind though was during the 4-0 game at Morecambe the other year. Whilst kicking the ball back from the stand, I managed to hit the post in front of me and the ball came back to me quicker than I’d kicked it in the first place. Thankfully the TV camera missed it!

Which one football match is the most memorable for you, and why?

Apart from the obvious memorable good and bad results (Liverpool, Spurs, Newcastle(A), Wembley twice, Hartlepool, Tranmere (A), Sheffield Wednesday (A) etc.) or the memorable goals for (Chima in the 1-4 defeat at Tranmere and Paul Futcher’s Lincs cup winner at home to Boston), the two games that fulfilled childhood ambitions of watching England in the World Cup (Trinidad & Tobago and Ecuador games in 2006) and completing a 100% season of Town games (completed with a 1-0 defeat at Watford in 1999) are very memorable to me. However, I don’t think anything will beat the win at Burnley that clinched our first visit to Wembley. The result meant so much to every one of the large following of regular Town fans and then there was a black & white convey from Burnley through Todmorden and Halifax back to the M62.

 In your opinion, how could the matchday experience be improved?

Reduced prices, unreserved seating, a separate section for people who want to moan for 90 minutes and the banning of music after goals have been scored.

 What do you love most about being a Grimsby supporter?

Writing this after the Barnet game, not a lot!

And conversely, what do you find most annoying about being a Grimsby supporter?

Been patronised by people who follow big clubs in the pub, whilst wearing the latest replica shirt and thinking that watching a game ‘live’ means being in front of the TV at 16:00 on a Sunday.

If you didn't support The Mariners, how would you spend your Saturday afternoons?

I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t be in a shopping centre.

What role do you think Supporters Trusts have in the modern game?

I believe that Supporters Trusts have an active role in helping to return both the moral and actual ownership of football clubs to the fans and the local community. I also think that trusts can become a focal point for sensible protests against some of the things that are wrong, e.g. uneven distribution of wealth, unrealistic player wages, domination by TV, franchised football clubs, daft ideas like playing league games in another country.

How could GTST appeal more to the GTFC supporter base?

Personally I think the trust owning a bigger percentage of shares, enabling supporter representation on the board. However, this can’t be achieved without a far bigger membership. So could any non-trust members reading this please email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and let us know what the trust needs to offer you to encourage you to join.

The FA/FL seem to 'champion' one rule each season. If you were in charge, what rule would you champion and why?

It’s not really a rule but, I would allow referees to criticise the managers and players for the mistakes they make during the game. I’m sure it might stop the likes of Warnock, Fergie, Wenger et al from blaming somebody else for their own team’s mistakes.

Lastly today, congratulations to Pontoon season ticket holder Gareth “Cliff” Richards, who is another year older. Like the rest of us, Gareth is hoping that Town move it today and banish the shadows with a victory, so that come Christmas, he will be able to employ the mistletoe and wine for pleasurable purposes rather than for pain relief.