Looking forward to this one, another new ground for me to tick off. I just hope that we play better than we have done in our last 2 games as if we play like that it'll be a long journey home with nothing to show for it. New Years Day was possibly our worst performance of the season and we were very, very fortunate to come away with a point against local rivals Lincoln City who we had beaten 4-1 at their place on Boxing Day, and again against Hereford on Saturday, despite scoring after 2 minutes we were poor after that and they too went away with a 1 all draw.

I notice your current form is very impressive (12 wins on the bounce is it now?) and your home record too is second to none. We've just made a couple of new signings last week, striker Richard Brodie, a player I have never liked but has been there and done it in the last 2 seasons with both Crawley and Fleetwood, so whilst he's in a Grimsby shirt he'll get my full backing and also a return on loan for Hull City winger Jamie Devitt. Devitt was with us on loan in our final season in the league and was one of the very few bright points of a very depressing season. He's just coming back from injury but came on as sub on Saturday and showed that he has the ability, when fully fit, to be the best winger in this league.

Obviously KHM will be out to prove a point after being deemed surplus to requirements here last season. The FA Trophy hasn't really captured our fans imaginiation yet with us having bigger fish to fry as they say, but obviously as it gets closer to the final, the interest will increase. We do have a decent London fanbase of exiles though, so I'd expect ud to have at least 200 fans there on Saturday, maybe a few more.

We play at Gateshead tomorrow night and hopefully we'll grab a win to keep us top of the league but any more performances like our last 2 and we won't be staying top for long.

Anyway, here's to a good entertaining game on Saturday and may the best team on the day win.

UTM!

harry haddock wrote:

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Looking forward to this one, another new ground for me to tick off. I just hope that we play better than we have done in our last 2 games as if we play like that it'll be a long journey home with nothing to show for it. New Years Day was possibly our worst performance of the season and we were very, very fortunate to come away with a point against local rivals Lincoln City who we had beaten 4-1 at their place on Boxing Day, and again against Hereford on Saturday, despite scoring after 2 minutes we were poor after that and they too went away with a 1 all draw.

I notice your current form is very impressive (12 wins on the bounce is it now?) and your home record too is second to none. We've just made a couple of new signings last week, striker Richard Brodie, a player I have never liked but has been there and done it in the last 2 seasons with both Crawley and Fleetwood, so whilst he's in a Grimsby shirt he'll get my full backing and also a return on loan for Hull City winger Jamie Devitt. Devitt was with us on loan in our final season in the league and was one of the very few bright points of a very depressing season. He's just coming back from injury but came on as sub on Saturday and showed that he has the ability, when fully fit, to be the best winger in this league.

Obviously KHM will be out to prove a point after being deemed surplus to requirements here last season. The FA Trophy hasn't really captured our fans imaginiation yet with us having bigger fish to fry as they say, but obviously as it gets closer to the final, the interest will increase. We do have a decent London fanbase of exiles though, so I'd expect ud to have at least 200 fans there on Saturday, maybe a few more.

We play at Gateshead tomorrow night and hopefully we'll grab a win to keep us top of the league but any more performances like our last 2 and we won't be staying top for long.

Anyway, here's to a good entertaining game on Saturday and may the best team on the day win.

UTM!

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The more Mariners the better Mr Haddock. It will make a refreshing change to have a healthy away following at PVR.

I think both teams probably have bigger fish to fry (pun intended) overall but the winners will only be three games from Wembley - a stage we have reached twice before without getting any further.

If we play like we did in the Newport game we can beat any non league side but Grimsby will probably be the strongest side we have faced all season and a good barometer for our team and management.

Oh....I don't mind Grimsby being the best team on the day as long as Welling win!!

haha its not a wish but i dont think we should think it would be bad if we went back to Blundell Park. Upsets happen at the higher ranked teams ground and its good experience should we go up ...and a day out for the fans that want to travel. If we were under the cosh late on and drawing, i would rather we had the inclination to fight and defended like heroes and hung on for a replay on and off the pitch. Not only that.. like Truro we could go up the other end and score.

Squarevanman wrote:

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Don't know if anything will come of it but I have just emailed the BBC London TV's sports reporter with a brief snippet about Welling United. Just telling her about the fans saving the club 2 years ago and now we are second in the league and that we play Grimsby on Saturday. (And that we have already dispatched 2 Conference Premier sides). Maybe something will come of it or maybe not but it is getting Wellings name into the Beeb. 

If I hear anything I will report back.

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 Had a reply from BBC TV's Sara Orchard who has forwarded my e mail to 5 lives non-league show so that is it dead and buried. However she did say to contact her again should we progress in the trophy. So It looks like I will have to send her an email on Saturday then

Totally agree BKK. Mr Haddock loves his club and is a true sportsman.

chelwing wrote:

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If it goes to a replay then no train back until the next day. Overnight stay in Cleethorpes or a long drive through the night.

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No anything - train, bus, plane, cart.

No direct train service from the area (although local politicians and business are lobbying for one) and no direct dual carriageway into NE Lincs either. I think the last train to London leaves the area before an evening kick-off!!

Medway Andy wrote:

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I'm looking forward to watching the Wings on Saturday. I havent been for years but used to go back in the early/mid 90's with my old man, day's of terry robins, steve barnes and mike rutherford! i was only young but do remember those saturday afternoons well!

Been following Welling closely anyway and watching the video highlights of there games! love there style trying to get it down and play, think Jamie has done a great job with the team, and to think where Welling we're 2 years ago!

Great to see um playing well, 2nd in the league, Grimsby in the cup! Happy day's!!

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 Good to hear that Andy - hopefully you'll get hooked again! The more the merrier

Ashford Wing wrote:

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Medway Andy wrote:

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I'm looking forward to watching the Wings on Saturday. I havent been for years but used to go back in the early/mid 90's with my old man, day's of terry robins, steve barnes and mike rutherford! i was only young but do remember those saturday afternoons well!

Been following Welling closely anyway and watching the video highlights of there games! love there style trying to get it down and play, think Jamie has done a great job with the team, and to think where Welling we're 2 years ago!

Great to see um playing well, 2nd in the league, Grimsby in the cup! Happy day's!!

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 Good to hear that Andy - hopefully you'll get hooked again! The more the merrier

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 Cheers fella, i hope so to, I have missed going down there, i moved down to Rochester in last 2 years so i could have had a look at going down to Gillingham or Dartford even? no chance though Welling all the time!

I saw the match highlights of the Hornchurch game and saw a certain Mr Blobby in the crowd! Brilliant!!

Medway Andy wrote:

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Ashford Wing wrote:

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Medway Andy wrote:

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I'm looking forward to watching the Wings on Saturday. I havent been for years but used to go back in the early/mid 90's with my old man, day's of terry robins, steve barnes and mike rutherford! i was only young but do remember those saturday afternoons well!

Been following Welling closely anyway and watching the video highlights of there games! love there style trying to get it down and play, think Jamie has done a great job with the team, and to think where Welling we're 2 years ago!

Great to see um playing well, 2nd in the league, Grimsby in the cup! Happy day's!!

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 Good to hear that Andy - hopefully you'll get hooked again! The more the merrier

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 Cheers fella, i hope so to, I have missed going down there, i moved down to Rochester in last 2 years so i could have had a look at going down to Gillingham or Dartford even? no chance though Welling all the time!

I saw the match highlights of the Hornchurch game and saw a certain Mr Blobby in the crowd! Brilliant!!

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 If we win the league I'll be sure to make sure he turns up again for the final home game 

stafford wrote:

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 Seeing that name again has just spoilt the rest of my day. Possibly the worst manager in our history. He almost destroyed our club until Sir Alan Buckley came to the rescue.

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 Can't comment on his managerial prowess but was a decent player IMO. 

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 He was a good player, no one can deny that, but as a manager he was totally clueless. At one point he was even playing himself un front whilst we had perfectly good strikers on the bench on not even in the matchday squad!

Danson Mark wrote:

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harry haddock wrote:

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Interest seems to be picking up in The FA Trophy. A full 52-seater coach as well as 2 minibuses that I know of along with a number of cars and our London based fans could see over the 200 I estimated being there on Saturday.

http://www.thefishy.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1357674102/

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 Excellent news. Good away followings make for a good atmosphere!!

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 It is rather refreshing to have someone be normal and not a idiot, i think whatever the result on saturday its gearing up to be a great game the teams will gain eachothers respect. And i'm actually looking forward to the possibility of a replay now we have a coach sorted.

£12 admission fee for drums!!!

Wellington Boot wrote:

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£12 admission fee for drums!!!

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 Only £12??? Add a few zeros on to that!

harry haddock wrote:

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Jamison wrote:

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Just one very important question Mr Haddock. Do your fans have a drum?

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 We have a couple actually. Whether either are coming on Saturday I don't know though but I'm sure we'll have enough fans there to create a decent atmosphere on our own. I hope The Wings Bar will be well stocked by the way. We drunk Ebbsfleet's dry before 2.30pm just before Christmas.

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 I'm not sure that drums are allowed at PVR anymore. 200+ supporters do not need them anyway. Best to leave them at home!!