Cod Head of the Week: Peter Salsbury

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

Peter:
I cant remember the exact date but we played Leicester in the cup and lost 3-1. Johnny Scott scored from the spot for our goal. It was in the fifties sometime.

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

Peter:
There have been a lot of candidates: Joe Waters, John Cockerill, Dave Boylen et. al., but my hero from my earliest days for sheer courage and the ability to stir the blood was Matt Tees.

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

Peter:
The play-off game at Wembley - I was so nervous I didn't enjoy the game as kept thinking they would come back at us I could only enjoy it after the final whistle. The Auto Windscreen was a much better experience as I just knew we would win it.

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

Peter:
Favourite is Old Trafford not that we ever go there, or Anfield where we do go and least has to be Halifax although I have not been there for a while - awful place.

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

Peter:
Lots of both. The promotion season under Big Mac in '72 and the '80 season under Kerr. But the one under Buckley with promotion and two visits to Wembley (going there with Town being a dream from childhood) has to be the best.
The worst was 1964, the season we went down to Div 3 on the last game of the season, drawing 2-2 with Sunderland who went up with Leeds. It was my first taste of relegation and hard to take.

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

Peter:
Trying to get to Leicester to watch the second replay in the cup against Wolves but getting stuck in traffic most of the way there, abandoning the car miles from the stadium and hearing there first goal go in before we got there and then seeing next to nothing of the game from where we stood - we lost as well - great!!

Fishy:
What is the strangest thing you have ever done at a game?

Peter:
Sorry never done too many strange things. Did kiss everyone in sight first time at Wembley but then again so did everyone else

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

Peter:
For me has to be Big Mac for his enthusiasm and the way he went out to meet the people and also the great games we had.

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?

Peter:
Have a season ticket so get to most home games and as many away as I can (not that many but try to go to both Sheffield away games, Forest and Rotherham.

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

Peter:
Aiden Davison, John McDermott, Peter Handyside, Paul Futcher (would have been Andy Todd but he wasn't here long enough) Dave Booth, John Oster, Joe Waters, John Cockerill, Bobby Cummings, Clive Mendonca and Matt Tees.

Fishy:
Do your children support the Mariners?

Peter:
Yes, two girls or rather young ladies. The eldest Dominique is a full time supporter like her father and gets over from Lincoln for most home games and some away. Her sister does not like football!! I can't understand that.

Peter Salsbury