Nick Osborne

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/06/2000

The following is an interview of Nick Osborne undertaken by The Fishy.

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

Nick:
One of the first games i can remember is the home win against exeter when town won promotion with Lawrie mac.The ref blew for a free kick and the crowd stormed the pitch thinking it was all over.Every body got off the pitch and lined the touchline till full time.Wainman ran like hell towards the tunnel,i never even heard the whistle,mind you i was only little.

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

Nick:
With the way the game has changed over the years it would be difficult to pick just one player so i have named a few,Matt Tees,Kev Drinkall,Clive Mendonca,Ivano Bonetti.The first 3 cos of what they achieved and Ivano because he was probably the most skilful,he bought a lot of flair skill and supporters to BP.Unfortunately for us his bust up with BL at Luton and his dislike of chicken nuggets meant he was history

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

Nick:
I think i would go and watch the cup win over everton at BP.We won 2-1 with two fantastic goals from what seemed impossible angles from Mike Brolly,the team had to dig in real deep for the rest of the game.Dont think my heart could take it these days.

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

Nick:
The best league ground i have been to is probably Anfield(twice).There are quite a few "worst" grounds but i think york when we got relegated,it was a very cold boxing day the facilities where crap and the queue for snacks ran round the back of the stand till about 5 mins before the end,it also finished 0-0 with macca just putting one over the bar at the end.

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

Nick:
The worst for me was getting relegated with after Laws went,i know we have been relegated before but i remember this more cos it was his fall out with ivano that started the fall,before that we was about 2nd or 3rd in the division.The best season has got to be going straight back up again.Going to wembley twice and winning both was fantastic.The atmosphere at the AWS final was brilliant as was the playoff final.The AWS was more memorable because it was our first time but for me the playoff was more important.

Fishy:
Who are the greatest and the worst ever GTFC managers?

Nick:
"mike lyons" would that do for the worst?As for the best manager i was a little too young to appreciate lawrie mac so i would go for Kerr and Booth,although booth inherited what kerr left.Having said that,AB has been more successful which isnt bad considering i'm not his biggest fan,though you dont have to like some one to recognise what they have achieved.

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?

Nick:
I get to as many as i can but i work some weekends.I miss about 6 home games a season and i go to about 3 or 4 away games plus any cup matches if i'm not working.

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

Nick:
I think i would like to mix and match a few players rather than pick a team,but here's 11 not in any particular order:Davo,Macca,Futcher,Handyside,Cummings,Bonnetti,Boylen,Groves,Tees,Drinks and Mendonca.

Fishy:
Do your children support the Mariners?

Nick:
I have 2 girls,Nicola 12 and Holly 8.Nicola supports herself mainly but likes to come to some of the games with me,she tells me she is a moan utd fan but i will beat that out of her soon enough.Holly isnt that bothered about football but she has been to a couple of games,she just wants to go with dad regardless,(so if you read this holly,make mine a bitter and dont tell your mam about the blonde).

Nick Osborne

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