FOR these two Grimsby Town fans, the team's play-off hopes has provided a welcome excuse to reflect on the club's glory days.
Dennis Harris, 88, and Alan Plant, 56, who are both residents of Bradley House Care Home, Grimsby, said they had been present for some of the most memorable moments in Town's history.
Dennis fondly remembers going to the match as a child, using the money his mum gave him for the tram to buy sweets, before winding his way through the back streets to the ground.
He added that as an Armstrong Street School boy he had played for Grimsby Town Boys, taking up positions on the inside left and right, though he modestly added: "I wasn't in the team regularly."
He recalled watching the side taking on such giants as Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City – and often coming out on top.
He said: "I was there when we played against Man U and we beat them 3-2."
Alan, who played in the local leagues himself, had an insider connection to the club, as a firm friend of Terry Donovan – who started his career at GTFC and was later sold off to Aston Villa.
He said: "Terry used to joke that by selling him they paid for the Findus Stand to be built."
He recalled attending a play-off final as a child with his father, which attracted 22,000 fans to the match.
Alan said: "Lawrie McMenemy was the manager back then. I can't remember who we were playing, but it was to see if we would be the Division Four champions.
"I remember Lawrie had organised a bag piper and a band to play before the match.
"We won it – don't ask me the score – and we all ran on to the pitch.
"I remember looking up at my dad and him saying 'go on then' and running down out of the stands. I can also remember the players coming out into the directors' box."
However, both Dennis and Alan were unsure of how well Town will fare tomorrow.
Alan said: "I hope they don't do their usual – start off well and then peter out.
"They need to play football, pass to each other and tell the goalie not to let the ball past him!"
Dennis added: "They'll do well, for about ten minutes."
Reginald Dixon Caldicott, 74, and Martin Mellors, 58, both have learning disabilities and live in Kirklees Care Home in Waltham. And they are both keen Town fans with fond memories of a day out to Blundell Park with a former key worker– and will be rooting for them against Newport. Reginald said: "It was a really fun day out and I hope they win the match on Sunday." Martin said: "I had loads of fun when I went to see Grimsby and I want to go again."
