Dan Humphrey

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 06/08/2000

Cod Head of the Week: Dan Humphrey

The following is an interview of Dan Humphrey undertaken by The Fishy.

Fishy:
When did you first start supporting the Mariners, and what was your first game?

Dan:
Erm. I remember us beating Cardiff 6-3 sometime in the early 80s, and I remember Drinkell, Kev Moore and Batch etc. But I don't know exactly.

Fishy:
Who is the best player you ever saw wearing a Grimsby Town shirt?

Dan:
Probably Clive Mendonca, when fit. But for sheer skill and excitement both Bonetti and Oster deserve a mention. (Town wingers who actually BEAT defenders!)

Fishy:
If there is one game you were allowed to go back in time and watch what would it be and why?

Dan:
Mendonca's hat-trick against Ipswich. His best display. In fact during the whole Laws period, he seemed to manage without a midfield!!

Fishy:
What are your favourite and least favourite away grounds?

Dan:
The Reebok Stadium is superb, much better than Burnden Park ever was. I'd like to see Town draw Everton in the Cup, as I've not seen us play at Goodison. Worst grounds have include Scunthorpe's tin box - I saw Newcastle play them in a friendly a few years back, or Sunderland's new ground as there was absolutely no atmosphere from 40000 Mackems. Worst day as a Town fan was when we lost 4-1 at Oakwell, with Crofty at centre-half. It rained non-stop, and a few hundred Mariners fans were soaked in the open terrace.

Fishy:
What, in your opinion, are GTFC's best and worst seasons since you have been supporting them?

Dan:
Relegation under Laws was really bad - I went to countless embarassing away defeats, including a hammering at Bolton, where we looked like a non-league side!
The Promotion & Wembley season was great, although I had to miss the Leeds cup game and Play Off Final due to University exams!

Fishy:
What is the most eventful day you have ever had in the course of following the Mariners?

Dan:
GTFC 1, Oxford 2. I think it was 1984-85. The reason? I was mascot, and I've got a video of it somewhere! We scored an own goal, and John Aldridge and Ray Houghton were playing for them. I got to score a goal at the Pontoon end before the game, and the whole of Blundell Park cheered!!

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

Dan:
Alan Buckley.

Fishy:
How many games a season do you get to now, and what do you do while Town are playing games that you can't get to?

Dan:
Between 1 and 10. I'm based in Merseyside, and have a friend that gets free/cheap Everton tickets, so I'm more likely to see the Toffees these days. But Town will always be my first team. I always go to Tranmere, usually to Bolton, and to B.P. once or twice a year. I've also been to Liverpool, Wigan, Stoke, West Brom, Sunderland and Wembley in recent times.

Fishy:
Name your all-time starting eleven since you have been watching Town?

Dan:

Fishy:
Have you anything else to add?

Dan:
I used to live across the road from Livvo.
I also went to 6th Form with Mileman who appears on the Fishcake website somewhere!.

Dan Humphrey

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