Big Mac Calls For All Fans To Get Behind The Team
By: Bill Osborne
Date: 19/02/2002
MARINERS legend Lawrie McMenemy has called on Grimsby's armchair fans to swap the television for the turnstiles. Just days after returning from a goodwill mission for the FA in Afghanistan, the former Town boss has pledged his support to the Grimsby Telegraph's 'Up the Mariners' campaign.
Stuart Rowson writes: McMenemy believes the fan base exists in Grimsby to fill Blundell Park every week, but says the team must do their bit by coming up with results on the pitch.
Big Mac said: "It's six and two threes. The team have got to do it on the pitch to bring the people in. Then, once they've got them, they've got to keep them and retain their enthusiasm."
"The thing about Grimsby is that the fans are out there and they're not going anywhere else. It might be easier to get to Leeds or Sheffield than when I was there, but fans don't want to go to Hull or Scunthorpe to watch football do they?"
"The people are sat there in their armchairs saying 'come and get us'. And you have to get them in there by winning a few games like the result over Sheffield United. If you do that, they'll stay there and keep coming back."
"My wife and I were only talking the other day about when we lived in our rented house in Cleethorpes. It used to be so cold we warmed up by getting fish and chips at Steels and walking down the prom. That was warmer than our front room!"
"The people were very welcoming and very hard working. I remember that from taking the players onto the docks."
"The crowd in my first season went from 2,000 to 22,000 so the fans are there. Everybody has to play their part. The players, the community, and it's good to see the local newspaper backing their team. It's no good when they're getting slated at every corner."
"When I was there we had 12 players and I told them all that I'd just seen the tea lady and she looked quite handy, so there was competition for places!"
You can send your messages of support for Paul Groves and his side, and your great Town memories to stuart.rowson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk or fax 01472 372257.
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