Cod Head of the Week: Wayne Lofts

Fishy:
Tell us a bit about yourself?

Wayne:
I was born in Grimsby in 1970 and my dad started taking me to the games from a very early age.
I have been a season ticket holder ever since However my support was stopped in it's tracks in 1987 when some wa**er knocked me off my motor-bike while on my way to work. I was to spend the best part of a year in hospital and many more months in and out before eventually having to have both legs amputated below the knee. I still have a season ticket and get to as many games as possible.

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

Wayne:
Unfortunately I cannot remember the first game I went to. However I do remember sitting in the Main Stand on what was a wooden bench with a piece of carpet on it, and the front of the stand was all standing.

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

Wayne:
It has to be Paul Futcher, a very gifted player who was an absolute bargain buy. I also have fond memories of Bobby Cumming, hard as nails and gave 100% week in, week out.

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

Wayne:
It would have to be the home game against Barnsley in the 1981-82 season. My dad and I were sat in the Osmond seats. However Barnsley bought more fans than anticipated and had to use the standing area of the Osmond Stand. Nigel Batch was defending the Osmond end goal in the first half and got loads of stick as Town went in 2-0 down at half time. The second half was a completely different story with Town eventually winning 3-2 with goals from Whymark, K.Moore and Joe Waters.

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

Wayne:
Favourite ground had to be Rotherham. Whenever we played them it was nearly always on a cold and wet Tuesday evening. Town would always fill the away end and create a great atmosphere.
Worse ground would have to be Halifax (before the redevelopment).

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

Wayne:
Fortunately (or unfortunately) Town's worse seasons as a supporter were when I was in hospital after my accident.
The best seasons have to be the successive promotions under Alan Buckley.

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

Wayne:
My mate and I went to watch Town play at Colchester about 9 years ago. The car exhaust fell of near Boston. By the time the car had been repaired we were cutting it a bit fine to get to the game. We managed to get there about 5 minutes before the start only to be told the match had been postponed due to a water-logged pitch! We went back down there for the re-arranged game to see us play crap and loose.

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

Wayne:
It has to be Alan Buckley. But in terms of public relations he has to be one of the worst.

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?

Wayne:
I get to almost every home game and the odd away game. I always listen to the commentary on the games I can't get to.

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

Wayne:
Coyne, Ford, K. Moore, Tillson, Futcher, Agnew, Cumming, Kilmore, Mendonca, Hobson, Gilbert.

Fishy:
Do your children support the Mariners?

Wayne:
My daughter who is 7 has been to a handful of games, and my son who is 3, has this season got his first season ticket.

Wayne Lofts