The club should organise a Mendonca benefit match

By: Richard Lord
Date: 03/02/2002

SINCE the sad news of Clive Mendonca's retirement filtered through to his old town Grimsby, it has been suggested that a benefit match should be arranged to celebrate the ex-Mariner's career.

Although Mendonca doesn't qualify for a testimonial at either Charlton or Grimsby, the fans would surely like one more opportunity to see the striker in action at Blundell Park. At 33, Mendonca's career was cut short by today's standards.

A benefit match at Blundell Park would almost certainly see the ground filled to capacity and give the striker a chance to bow out of the game in style. However, Charlton will want a say in this and the two clubs should work together to produce a solution that will please all.

The Addicks also regard Mendonca very highly after he almost single-handedly won Charlton promotion to the Premiership after scoring at hat-trick at Wembley in the 4-4 penalty shoot-out win over Sunderland back in 1998.

It has already been suggested that if a benefit match were possible to organise, a Grimsby Select XI versus a Charlton Select XI would be the ideal choice of teams to feature. Clive's goals won games and he will always be remembered here at Grimsby.

Therefore there is a unanimous call from all the fans to the club to organise a match dedicated to the former Mariner and Addicks striker, one that he so thoroughly deserves.

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