Cod Head of the Week: Andy Humberstone

Fishy:
Tell us a bit about yourself.

Andy:
I am Andy Humberstone. I am 45 and was born in Cleethorpes. I went to Hereford School and I left Grimsby in 1982 and moved to Basingstoke, Hants. I am now divorced with two children Anna (aged 17) and Joe (aged 14). I currently work as an office administrator for a company that monitor jet engines and I am also into property investments.

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

Andy:
The first match I went to was in February 1967 v QPR; the score was 1-1 and I think Bobby Ross scored.

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

Andy:
Bob Cumming epitomised a true mariner. Those who saw him play will know what I mean. 100% committed, could score goals and play anywhere, hard as nails and played for us I think from aged 18 until he was about 35 and a gentleman off the pitch as well. A true hero.

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

Andy:
The Auto Windscreen final in 1998 it was just a dream and I would like to re-live that because I don't think I actually took it all in. Winning at Liverpool comes a very close second and what a goal from Jevvo it was!

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

Andy:
I would have to say Reading as I live near it and go with a mate of mine. I would just love Town to have a stadium like that one day. A pain getting out though as mentioned by my mate Andrew Doherty!
Least favourite is Selhurst Park - overpriced and hard to get to.

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

Andy:
Best season was 1997-98. Worst was last year!

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

Andy:
I went to watch Town play Ipswich in the FA cup about 1993-4. We lost 4-0 and Bontcho Guentchev scored a hat trick. I was really up for it and met some mates in London, spent loads of money, ended up missing my lift home back from Reading to Basingstoke after drowning my sorrows in a London pub. I cadged a lift home from someone at a petrol station and got dropped off outside my front door!

Fishy:
What is the strangest thing you have ever done at a game?

Andy:
After not seeing Town for ages I went to Wimbledon in 1988 (Harry Haddocks and all that) I asked someone who our number five was...he looked at me ‘all gone out’ and said Gary Birtles...I did feel a bit daft at the time!

Fishy:
What is the worst game you've ever been to?

Andy:
Town v Millwall last season..Steve Claridge scored..I took a mate from the south. I built up Boulding to be our Wayne Rooney..it was atrocious!

Fishy:
What's the most amusing chant you've heard at a game?

Andy:
The old one Jack the Ripper comes from Grimsby la la la la lala la la la..to Yorkies.

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

Andy:
Alan Buckley.

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?

Andy:
I go to about 10. I hand pick them and make a day or weekend of it. I keep in touch my SMS service and the papers and the Fishy!

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

Andy:

Fishy:
What's the best-ever atmosphere you remember at a home and away game?

Andy:
Town v Everton 1979-80 League Cup. Brolly 2 goals 21,000 crowd just brilliant!
Away was Liverpool October 9th 2001 and that Jevvo goal!

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

Andy:
Both my kids have been mascots; they both go now and again but are not obsessed with Town and they don't support any other teams which is good.

Andy Humberstone