Getting To Know...Will Douglas

Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

Ever optimistic, so often disappointed

When did you first grace Blundell Park?

My first dim memories of BP were in the mid seventies when I was around five.  I’ve never lived in Grimsby, but my Grimsby-based grandfather took me to see Town whenever we visited.  I remember sitting with him in the main stand on cold grey winter afternoons, mesmerised by the glare of the floodlights and the players in black and white. My first concrete memory was my first away game - at Stamford Bridge on October 11^th 1980 where we got hammered 3-0.  I vividly remember going to the match in an old Renault 4 and the crushing disappointment I felt at each goal conceded. I still experience the same feeling today – much more than I would like.

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

Always wear more layers of clothing than the time of year requires. It’s a soft Southerner thing and all down to a surprise school outing many years ago to see an England schoolboys match in the depths of winter.  I didn’t have a winter coat on and I froze. I vowed never to make the same mistake again.  Consequently I often look like the Michelin man in late August and early May, but usually have the last laugh - like at Dagenham and Barnet last season.  My friends at Barnet had never been colder and were barely able to celebrate that Forbes goal, whilst I did so in some style in my five layers.

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

The stupid stuff always amuses me, like the clap clap ‘Fish’ chant and Mighty Mariner’s unseemly exploits with goal posts. I also still smile when I think of singing “Harrods 0 Ramsdens 1” at Craven Cottage and “If you’ve all got a passport clap your hands”.

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

Many times.  At Bournemouth last season I got the spelling wrong of the “Give me a G” chant. I don’t have dyslexia and I was driving, so it can’t have been the drink.

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

I enjoyed the Youth Team cup win at Loftus Road last season. Unsurprisingly the Wembley visits in 1998 were stand out moments, but defeating Brighton on a glorious late summer’s day at Withdean in 2002 will always stay with me.  My mum had died a week before and Town were languishing near the foot of the table. I had reservations about going, but Mum grew up in Grimsby and I knew she would have approved.  At 1-1 in a hard fought second half, Pouton had just had a great goal disallowed for no apparent reason and life all seemed a bit much. But then Pouton made a surging run, did a couple of trademark stepovers, before smashing in a low shot to make it 2-1. I went home much happier thanks to the Mariners. 

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

Town winning more often would help - preferably with free-flowing, passing football. I don’t need much.  I come to the football for the football and the company of family and good mates.  For me it’s what’s happening on the pitch that really counts. 

What do you love most about being a Grimsby supporter?

As an ‘exiled’ fan, it’s got to be Blundell Park.  I love the place and still get a thrill going through the turnstiles.  Also, the huge joy I experience at any GTFC success, no matter how small. How can you really enjoy success if you’ve never experienced or have forgotten the week in week out struggle at the bottom of the league?  We know we don’t have a divine right to win every match, we know we have to fight and that forges a blend of pessimism and realism that makes any success all the sweeter.

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

Living in London I don’t make it to nearly as many home games as I would like.

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

I could contemplate watching Barnet.  The Emirates is closer to me but after 30 years of supporting GTFC it just wouldn’t feel right watching football in that kind of stadium. 

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

Trusts are helping supporters take a more valued and responsible role – by encouraging and helping them to secure democratic representation in the clubs they support.  If we stick to GTST’s goal of acquiring a collective shareholding in GTFC, we too can achieve this.  Getting the reasoned voice of supporters represented helps make clubs more accountable to their fans. This can only be a good thing.

How could GTST appeal more to the GTFC supporter base?

It would be great if GTST could provide more tangible benefits to its membership and the Trust board are committed to finding ways to offer incentives to join and stay joined.  Also we could communicate more often and more clearly with the whole supporter base about what we hope to achieve and how to get there.

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

Hawk eye/video goal line technology please. Too much rides on the outcome of matches for valid goals to be disallowed, especially where the ball hits the back of the net or stanchion and bounces out.  I don’t often agree with Neil Warnock but this once I do.