Richard Dawson

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 24/08/2000

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

Richard:
I was taken to Blundell Park when I was about 10 by a school friend, and his father. We stood in the Main Stand. This would be the 64/65 season. I have to confess I can't remember the oponents or the score.... attendance until I was a teenager was very sporadic due to difficulty in persuading anyone to take me from Caistor. I supported Caistor Tennyson instead. But I never supported any other league team.......

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

Richard:
Through the rose tinted spectacles it would have to be either Matt Tees or Brian Hill.......For commitment then Bobby Cumming or Dave Worthington or Joey Waters....For flair Ivano Bonetti.......for humour Harry Wainman or Nigel Batch - both mercurial personalities......the worst player I ever saw in a Town shirt has to be Gordon Walker who was dredged up on trial from a non league outfit. He was large, gawky, and useless. Still he got in for a few weeks and gave us all some good laughs.

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

Richard:
I'd love to have been at any Division one game in the thirties when we had a decent side, and full grounds.

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

Richard:
The favourite has to be anywhere that Town win. The least favourite is easy - Selhurst Park (for obvious reasons).

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

Richard:
We had a great promotion year with Lawrie Mac - I was so proud the night we won the championship. The atmosphere was fantastic (even better than Wembley). The wembley season was great, for obvious reasons, but I have never really been a fan of the Buckley 'style' on the pitch (and even less of his PR skills off it) so this takes the edge off for me. The worst season for me was when we got relegated for having 0,006 worse goal average. I was young then, and it really hurt.

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

Richard:
Coming home from Mansfield (in another promotion season) in my Moggy van with at least 6 aled-up passengers crammed in, the brakes (which were never very good) ceased to function at an inopportune moment. Or the day when a 5'4" 'Special' who appeared to be about 18, slung me out of Fratton Park for possesion of a hip flask. Luckily we were already 2-0 down (after about 15 minutes). we lost 3-1.

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

Richard:
Lawrie Mac had the charisma and got the whole town behind the Town, George Kerr deserves a mention in dispatches also. A great character who worked 24 x 7 for the club. But to be honest, our greatest manager is yet to come.......

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?

Richard:
I've been living in the USA for the last two years, but I got to Wembley, and see an average of 2-3 games per season. This last season it was Fulham away, Sheff U away. The rest of the time I hang out in the chatroom with Swin, BillO, DaveL, NickO , Karen, Rob and all the rest. We wrestle with the RA, and while away the game with all sorts of nonsense. Our record gate last season was over 20! Try it next season....

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

Richard:
I've struggled with this one for too long - I want to play all those players I've worshipped, laughed at, revered and reviled. So the squad would be at least a 100 strong............the final 11 - sh*t I just can't do it. Sorry.

Fishy:
Do your children support the Mariners?

Richard:
My son who's 13, enjoys watching the Mariners but he's one of those kids who would rather be out there kicking a ball than watching a game. Now we are moving back to the UK (hurray!) I might get him going. But kids like strikers and we don't seem to bother with them in the current regime............. My daughter (7) is an enigma. Her mother supports Chelsea and I am convinced is secretly brainwashing Elizabeth. I use much more overt tactics (along the lines of "say 'Up the Mariners' and you might get some pocket money"). We'll see.......

Richard Dawson

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