The new Mariners Trust book, We are Town: writing by Grimsby fans 1970-2002, is available to order now

It brings together classic fanzine writing from Sing When We're Fishing, The Fishy, Cod Almighty and When Saturday Comes along with some chapters written specially for the book. It also presents the results of the Great Grimsby XI poll we held earlier this year to pick the eleven best players, and manager, to represent Town from 1970-2002. The book will be launched at McMenemy's on 13 November at a special event including players and the manager from the Great Grimsby XI.

You can read an interview with one of the editors, Pete Green, here: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/New-Grimsby-Town-book-gives-fans-view-1970-2002/story-27941204-detail/story.html?

You can sort yourself out with copies of the book or tickets for the launch here: http://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/we-are-town-book-launch/

We're keeping quiet about who has made the Great Grimsby XI, but meantime feel free to guess which players received absolutely no votes in the poll, but do nevertheless feature in We are Town.

I reckon the manager of the XI might be Buckley.

I've written a couple of chapters for this book, so obviously I'm going to recommend it highly.

But having been lucky enough to get a glimpse of some of the other content that's in there, I can safely say it's different to every other Town book there's been.

We might be reminiscing about familiar points in history, but they're from completely new perspectives - ones that were almost lost in time, written years - decades - ago.

Those emotions have been frozen in time, so you really get a sense of what it felt like to be a fan through the eras that you or I may not have experienced.

And all money goes to the Trust, so, you know, everyone's a winner!

And it's my dad's Christmas present sorted  8)

Looking forward to getting hold of a copy. Does it contain any old articles from the Sing When We're Fishing fanzine?

Quoted from sam gy

Looking forward to getting hold of a copy. Does it contain any old articles from the Sing When We're Fishing fanzine?

Yes.

Cant wait

Lovely stuff. Will be buying a few of these for Christmas presents and obviously one for myself as well.

just because I'm really nosey, how many copies are you getting printed in the first edition?

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

just because I'm really nosey, how many copies are you getting printed in the first edition?

We need to decide early next week, so keeping an eye on early orders

I read that on the os. I thought it was written by professionals - not bloody fans? Is it not therefore a bit of a niche market, only the people who contributed will buy it? I guess im saying that if you wanted someone to talk about a film you'd get an actor, director or such like, not someone who watched it in the cinema.

Quoted from HotToddy

I read that on the os. I thought it was written by professionals - not bloody fans? Is it not therefore a bit of a niche market, only the people who contributed will buy it?

I never contributed, but I'll definitely buy it.

I havent contributed to it but my order is in. I suspect I wont be the only one....

Quoted from barralad

I havent contributed to it but my order is in. I suspect I wont be the only one....

You won't.

Hot Toddy - in answer too your q.

by the fans...for the fans


What "professional" could capture the raw emotion ,what it means inside to a genuine long time supporter to be promoted...to be relegated...the explosive release of tension witnessing Burnett's golden goal...the gut churning helpless inadequate feeling looking onto a motionless Livvo for 14 minutes.....i will tell you...none.

Quoted from HotToddy

I read that on the os. I thought it was written by professionals - not bloody fans? Is it not therefore a bit of a niche market, only the people who contributed will buy it?

I guess the whole fanzine thing would have left you cold if you'd been around.

I suppose friends & family will buy it too. Alan Buckley might be able to capture that emotion?

Quoted from HotToddy

I read that on the os. I thought it was written by professionals - not bloody fans? Is it not therefore a bit of a niche market, only the people who contributed will buy it?

Right its late, and I may be falling into a trap, but I'm going to risk it.

Lets not confuse fans with amateurs and then move from amateurs to amateurish. Yes, the book has been put together entirely by Town fans, but in many cases we are talking about professional people -authors, journalists, designers, advertisers - bringing their professional skills to bear on this book because they are Town fans. One of the editors, it is true, is a librarian by profession- even that came in handy for digging out one or two of the chapters. Most of the chapters have been written by amateurs, but they have written with the knowledge and care you can only bestow if what you are doing is a labour of love.

One of the things that has made me the proudest I have ever been to be a Town fan this year has been Operation Promotion - not just the drawing of strength from a defeat, but the realisation that as ordinary fans, we can bring not just our cash but our professional and life skills to bear to make the experience of supporting the Mariners a bit better for everyone. Think of We Are Town as the literary wing of Operation Promotion - people doing what they can do, and do very well, out of love and commitment.

When the book is out, I'm confident you won't be disappointed.