New Year, same old City.

I suppose the double header against our nearest and dearest was eagerly anticipated, certainly it was by me after the mini resurgence in form but in the end we were reflecting on a pointless Christmas. Boxing Day’s clash was certainly a game of two halves and from where I sit with the old codgers if anything the Imps were expected to take advantage of the following wind (insert fishy jokes here) in the second half and finish off the haddocks from Humberside. How wrong we were and the lack of booing afterwards underlined the view, I think, that the Mariners were worthy winners. After that the defeat at Grimsby was something of a foregone conclusion, City’s away form being woeful, Forest Green Rovers aside.


Today’s news that Darlington are either in or to go into administration brings into focus the multi layered nature of fans concerns. We are concerned that our team is nowhere near fit for the purpose of challenging at the top of the division. Darlo are doing just that but are going bust, a process that has been particularly long in the execution. A deal will no doubt be cobbled together that will enable them to carry on and many teams in those circumstances would then continue with the bad habits that got them into financial difficulty although you only have to look at that magnificent stadium to get an idea of the root of the problem at Darlington. That again brings us back to City. We know that offers have been made to either take over the Imps or come on to the board. Were the present management correct to reject those overtures? Maybe they were.

We went over to Norwich in between Christmas and New Year. It’s a nice city, a bit bigger than Lincoln and quite similar but if you ever think Lincoln is remote then have a look at Norfolk’s County Town. Over two hours to London by train and it’s far closer than Lincoln. It’s a hell of a trip by road too. Which brings me to Norwich City FC. Their “local derby” is Tottenham Hotspur, 110 miles away. A couple of years ago the Canaries and the Imps were just one division apart. I had a walk down to Carrow Road. There is no comparison between it and Sincil Bank, none. Norwich have no Russian oligarch or mysterious backer to bankroll them apart from the sainted Delia and the likes of Stephen Fry. Like us they’re off the beaten track, unfashionable and yet they seem to glory in their isolation. To say I was jealous is the greatest understatement in the history of language.

                                      Let's be 'avin' yer Delia. Wish you were ours