Emma Gillingham
Fishy:
Tell us a bit about yourself
Emma:
Emma Gillingham, born in Wiltshire, lives in London and has no connections with Grimsby whatsoever. Tires of explaining why she supports Town, but saw the light early in the 1997/98 season.
Fishy:
When did you first start supporting the Mariners, and what was your first game?
Emma:
I have always been a fan of football generally, and grew up in a household of mixed Capital following (Arsenal & West Ham). I tended to follow Everton in my formative years (for no other reason that I liked the colour Blue) but circumstances prevented me from actually going to any live games.
My first game happened to be a Town game at BP(I was going out with a Town supporter who dragged me along). Watford, October 1997. Town lost 0-1 to a Ronnie Rosenthal goal after less than a minute. I recall thinking 'What on earth have I got myself in to?'.
The relationship with the bloke floundered (boom boom), but my intetrest in Town continued. I am now a season ticket holder.
Fishy:
Who is the best player you ever saw wearing a Grimsby Town shirt?
Emma:
I only have 4 seasons of players to choose from here, so I managed to miss many of the 'greats' I have heard so much about. But I`d pick Aidan Davison. Apart from being a top goalkeeper, he provided a very pleasant distraction when sitting behind the goal in the Ponny!!
Fishy:
If there is one game you were allowed to go back in time and watch what would it be and why?
Emma:
From what I have heard, the game where Jim Dobbin ruined Newcastles record unbeaten run.
Fishy:
What are your favourite and least favourite away grounds?
Emma:
Least favourite - Priestfields. Although we won last time we went there, there was a very bad atmosphere and the supporters weren`t the friendliest of people.
Most favourite - The Valley. Apart from being handy for where I live (always a plus), the atmosphere is good and the community spirit is strong.
Fishy:
What, in your opinion, are GTFC's best and worst seasons since you have been supporting them?
Emma:
Best - promotion season naturally
Worst - I have a feeling I am about to see it!
Fishy:
What is the most eventful day you have ever had in the course of following the Mariners?
Emma:
Probably either of the Wembley games. As I live in London I was inundated with requests for a bit of floor space for people to collapse on, and being the obliging person that I am, said 'yes' to all of them. Hence I had a flat full of Town Fans.
I spent a lot of time in the Rat & Parrott in Bayswater on both occassions, drank far too much and saw far too much of a few of the Town lads that felt the need to strip off to celebrate the promotion.
Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?
Emma:
I have only known Buckley, so I have to say Buckley. From reading various things about Town's history, he certainly seems to have been the most successful.
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?
Emma:
I try to go to 95% of them now, although I can't get to midweek home games and probably miss 2-3 away games per seaon (visits back to the parents & holidays). Sometimes midweek I'll go to The Valley (I can get a free seat), but usually I'll stay in and watch for the score on Teletext or listen to Radio 5.
Fishy:
Name your all-time starting eleven since you have been watching Town?
Emma:
Again, I only have 4 years worth of players to pick from, but here we go:
Davison (who else)
McDermott
Handyside (for the overhead goal at Portman Road)
Gallimore (for looking like my brother)
R Smith
Coldicott (always gives 100%)
Groves
Burnett (for that golden goal)
Black (for the best goal I've seen so far - free kick vs Gillingham)
Lester (for his ability to give us hope!)
Livvo (for being a thoroughly nice bloke and scoring last week)
Fishy:
Do your children support the Mariners?
Emma:
No kids, but I have managed to convert my younger brother, Max! He now
wears the Town shirt with pride and comes from Wiltshire to 4-5 games a
season! Amusing tale # 1 - I managed to get my bro to the last home game of
the season last season. As mentioned before, Max bears a passing
resemblance to Gally. I had dragged Max to the Pier where comments of 'I
see Gallys out again' were heard!!!!
Emma Gillingham
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