Fishy: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Johny: Hi, I'm Johny. I'm 18 years old and have supported the Mighty Mariners for well over 10 years now. I follow them through thick and thin. I have been a season ticket holder for 4 years in a row now and can't get enough of watching my home team Grimsby Town!
Fishy: When did you first start supporting the Mariners, and what was your first game?
Johny: Well over 10 years now. My dad took me to see my first match (I cant remember who against) but I know we lost!
Fishy: Who is the best player you ever saw wearing a Grimsby Town shirt?
Johny: The best player to wear the black and white stripes has to be Danny Coyne - always gave his all and single-handidly kept us in Div 1 for so long.
Fishy: If there is one game you were allowed to go back in time and watch what would it be and why?
Johny: Has to be the Liverpool match. We were massive underdogs and to beat a near enough full strength Liverpool team was amazing, the atmosphere was awesome and for a scouser to hit the winner in the last minute as well it was just brilliant!
Fishy: What are your favourite and least favourite away grounds?
Johny: My favourite would have to be the K.C. Stadium it's just different class for the Nationwide League.
The worst ground has to be Stockport - it's just a pile of rust and steel!
Fishy: What, in your opinion, are GTFC's best and worst seasons since you have been supporting them?
Johny: The best season by far is when Paul Groves took over as manager and guided us clear of relegation when it looked like we were doomed
The worst is last season - we just seemed to go down with no fight at all. Very disappointing but it had been on the cards for years.
Fishy: What is the most eventful day you have ever had in the course of following the Mariners?
Johny: Definitely the opening day of this season being 20 minutes late for the Plymouth game! The air conditioning broke on the coach on the way down! but on the bright side we drew 2-2
Fishy: What is the strangest thing you have ever done at a game?
Johny: Wore a Pakistan top to the opening day game against Plymouth, bright green cricket top for just one reason - to get spotted on television so everyone could spot me and it worked!
Fishy: Who is the greatest ever GTFC manager?
Johny: Paul Groves. He's just so dedicated to the club and gives everything. Takes the stick he receives on the chin, rolls his sleeves up, and gets on with his job under very difficult circumstances as well i.e. the board. [Ed - written before Groves was sacked].
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?
Johny: I have a season ticket so go to all the home games and try to get to all the away games I can. If I don't go I stick it on channel 408 and sit and wait for the Mariners to score
Fishy: Name your all-time starting eleven since you have been watching Town?
Johny: Coyne,Barnard,Santos,Todd,McDermott,Oster,Hockless,Pouton,Butterfield,Kabba,Lester
Fishy: What's the best-ever atmosphere you remember at a home and away game?
Johny: Derby County Away on Boxing Day. Amazing crowd - we took over to Derbyshire and weren't let down by the scoreline or Georges Santos dancing at the full time whistle!
Fishy: Do your children support the Mariners?
Johny: I'm still young! but if I do have kids they will be die hard Mariners fans!
Johny Pawson
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