Cod Head of the Week: John Paul Teanby

Fishy:
Tell us a bit about yourself?

John Paul:
I'm 28, usually get to more away games then home. I'm currently working as an NVQ assesor however I was a manager at the services on the M11. Most often heard remark "Oh, I've never met a Grimsby fan before!". My favourite ever newspaper quote was in "the pink", Newcastle's equivalent of the Sports Telegraph. I was in Newcastle on the day but could not get a ticket. Jim's quote was "the boss told me to put it in the corner, I thought he meant the top corner".

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

John Paul:
My next door but one neighbour took me (used to live on the Grange), Ian he was called. I remember it being a warm day and standing in the open corner, I think it was against a team in blue and white shirts but I don't remember the score but I remember Tony Ford having a shot that went over the Pontoon and being in awe as I'd never seen a ball kicked so hard and high!! I was 4.

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

John Paul:
Clive Mendonca or Paul Futcher, these signing were some of those Buckley finds we used to live on.

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

John Paul:
Town vs QPR when we lost on penalties.I'm not sure I've ever seen a good a performance from one player (Neil Woods) despite him missing his penalty, it was a night of high drama.

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

John Paul:
Fave: Wembley a 100% record what more can you say?
Least: Loftus Road. I always seem to get a restricted view by th goalkeeper.

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

John Paul:
The worst season was the relegation under Laws, the whole situation was a spectacular o.g.
The best was either when we mixed it at the top in the 80's with Chelsea and Sheff Wed although I never went to many games in that season, whereas I went to 40 of our 68 games in the Wembley year with visits to Anfield and Elland Road, a dream season!!

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

John Paul:
Auto Windscreen, I lived in Essex at the time in a 1 bed room house. I had not been so excited that night before since I discovered I was getting a Grifter for Xmas. In the house ther was 10 of us, singing all night and all the way to and from Wembley. Along with the rest of Grimsby it was a special day.

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

John Paul:
Alan Buckley - who cares about his P.R. he did great things for the club. We played some fantastic football under him, although he had lost the plot and I believe it was the right decision for him to go.

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?

John Paul:
Unfortunately I only get to 10-15 games now but I listen on the net and log into fishy's chat room, whenever possible.

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

John Paul:
Batch (if Coyne maintain this seasons form for another season it may be Coyne)
Futcher
Handyside
Macca
Croft
Donavon (in the promotion year)
Bonetti
Burnett
Cockerill
Mendonca
Drinkell
Subs: Lester , Groves , Crombie , Waters , Gilbert.

If you have any, do your children support the Mariners?

No kids but a 10 year old nephew who, despite his father being an ardent Middlesboro fan, I have got him into the Mariners. We went into the Middlesboro Superstore during there sale and his dad asked him if he liked the M'boro strip to which my nephew shouts if it's not a Town shirt I don't want it!!!

John Paul Teanby