Shaming The Mariners

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 06/08/2007

THERE would be few fans who would have been displeased if Martin Paterson had signed for the Mariners. In fact there were calls for the club to sign him whatever the cost. Unfortunately he decided to pursue his career with local rivals, Scunthorpe.

There was nothing wrong with that. We did not own him and had no claims on him. He performed well for us when he was at Blundell Park and that was reflected in the calls to sign him.

It is a pity that a group of supporters abused him when he appeared for the Iron in the pre-season meeting.

Paterson told the Grimsby Telegraph: "I thought I would get a better reception than I did. There were fans who don't appreciate what I did here but they have got to understand that a young lad always wants to better himself."

"For some of them, to call me some names I don't really agree with that because I never once stepped on a field with a Grimsby shirt on and given less than 100 per cent." "If they want to go that way about it and call me names fine, but I want to thank the fans that gave me a good reception - I appreciate that more than they know."

Once again, a small group of fans not only showed up the club, they disgraced the rest of the fans who welcomed him. Grimsby Town have had enough problems in the past and we can do without this sort of behaviour.

It brings the name of the club into disrepute and other players sought by the club on a loan basis might think twice if this is the type of reception they get on their return with a new club.

Like every other club, we have our share of scum and it is about time we got rid of them. But that is not possible unless other fans, who know them, do not bring them to the attention of the stewards or the police.

This is not snitching or grassing. It is helping to clean the dross out of the club altogether.

I don't often feel ashamed of Grimsby Town but this type of incident brings me close. We have a great number of passionate Grimsby Town fans and they don't deserve to be seen to be part of a mob because that is what incidents like this places them by outsiders.

Mr Buckley would not have been pleased either. Paterson was one of his past youngsters and he was let down by some of the supporters. Believe me. He won't forget that.

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