Jeremy Baily

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/06/2000

The following is an interview of Jeremy Baily undertaken by The Fishy.

Jeremy was born in 1953 and educated at Sutton-on-Sea and Alford before leaving for Singapore in 1965. He used to go to Blundell Park in the kids area by the Barret Stand/Osmand End corner and climb over the wall to join his dad on the half way line in the Barret Stand (it was cheaper in the kids area). He says he was one of the many that used to bang on the advertising boards during 'Glad All Over'. "You know "I'm Feeling Bang Bang Glad All Over" etc. etc." He finished schooling in Norfolk and joined the RAF in 1970.Jeremy left the RAF in 1996.
He is now an Un-civil servant living in Telford Shropshire.

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

Jeremy:
1961/62, I think it was v Peterborough on 3 Feb 1962, we won 2-0. Ron Rafferty got both, Town always scored twice in those days.

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

Jeremy:
Me! While player-manager of a team in Berlin, I once scored an own goal from outside the box, what a header that was, top righthand corner, our goalkeeper never stood a chance.

OK then, if not me. Ivano Bonetti. Everyone we played was frightened of him, two men to mark and one to cut the ball out, gave everyone else more room and time to play. If Clive had been fit throughout Ivano's stay, there would have been no Luton fight and we would have gone up! I really liked his left boot, he could curl it round the ball so well, I remember him putting the ball on Groves head at Norwich like it was yesterday, plus that goal against WBA, Brilliant. He was the only player we have ever had in my lifetime, that other supporters wanted to see.

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

Jeremy:
1st Wembley appearance, I have always wanted to see The Town play there. Can I also go back to Coventry in the FA Cup 4th Round in 1973, it was never a penalty, only 4 minutes to go (I think). I was right behind the goal, we really were robbed that day, we played some lovely stuff. Coventry were at home to bloody Hull in the 5th round, jammy sods.

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

Jeremy:
Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury, never seen us lose there, good pubs and never any trouble. Wembley, never seen us lose there either.
Stoke's old Victoria Stadium / Wolves old, half-built, three-quarters built or finished. Never seen us win in any of them and we always play crap when I go.
I Don't like seats you get at Main Road very much, good job it wasn't raining. It is also a ground I have never seen us get a point at, but you could say that about a lot of places.

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

Jeremy:
71-72 Promotion. Goals all over the place, great fun. 97-98 2 Wembley wins plus promotion.

86-87 Lyons the twat. 68-69 Wasn't too hot either, 23rd in Div 4.

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

Jeremy:
It has always been eventful following The Town, and always will be. It's safer now, but still eventful.

How about this for eventful; One Friday evening (March 1973) I am hitch-hiking to see my Grandma in Mablethorpe (I was at Ulceby Roundabout near Alford) when a van of Town fans going the other way see me and stop. Grandma dipped out as I went to Bournemouth to watch the match, which was on Match of the Day. 1-1 Stuart Brace scored our goal.

Mad weekends travelling from Germany to watch games at Ipswich, Gillingham and Brighton also spring to mind. Taking two "Harry The Haddocks" to a German Cup Final in Berlin, wearing my shirt at Munchengladbach home games, lots of eventful times, I'm sure there will be more!

Fishy:
Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?

Jeremy:
Bill Shankley, but who I've seen manage, it has to be Lawrie McMenemy.

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?

Jeremy:
10-18 mostly away games, I watch Cee-Fax a lot, my son and I get changed into our Town shirts if we aren't winning by half-time, it's a strange habit, but it is now a custom we faithfully follow, it worked the first couple of times, but is not so lucky at the moment. We may have to change our ritual if things don't improve. I also intend to join in that chat thing one day. That is when I understand the internet system a bit more

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

Jeremy:
This attack-minded team is to be set out in the classic 1 2 3 5 formation. Charlie Wright, John McDermott, Gary Croft, Shaun Cunnington, Paul Futcher, Davey Boylen, Stuart Brace, Gordon Hobson, Matt Tees, Jackie Lewis, Ivano Bonetti. Subs are Harry Wainman, Joe Waters, Bobby Cumming and Johnnie Oster.

Fishy:
Do your children support the Mariners?

Jeremy:
Yes, Sarah-Jane (18) at Liverpool John Moore's University and Ben (15) in Telford, Shropshire.

Fishy:
How many different grounds have you seen the Mariners play at Jeremy?

Jeremy:
Well a lot really, let me count them. If you include Blundell Park and Wembley the total is 50, not bad when you consider 12 of the last few years have been spent abroad.

Fishy:
What are the biggest wins/defeats you have witnessed

Jeremy:
Win: 6-2 v Walsall the week before we lost to that penalty at Coventry 1973. It's about time I saw us crush someone again isn't it?

Defeat: 0-6 v Stoke, that twat Lyons again, FA Cup 2nd replay 1987. Also 1-7 v Sheff Wed FA Cup not to long ago, everything they tried (Wed) worked, we could have lost by more.

Jeremy Baily

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