Further down this blog is a call to arms over naming your best Grimsby Town XI. I could do that but everyone's going to do that, aren't they? The likes of Terry Fleming just pick themselves anyway.
So, ladies and gentlemen I give you an alternative XI; the all-time GTFC shirt XI. Some obvious ones may be missing – not least this effort recently re-created – but I wanted to choose garments from my own collection so that I can not only show off but can confirm I have truly examined them and made them fit for purpose. You wouldn't include a player in your greatest team without having seen them play would you?
Please accept my apologies for the poor photographs and England sheet they're laid upon.
2. Sitting comfortably at right back is this from 1993. A classic before its time; nothing can go wrong with this sophisticated number. It may be break from the norm and upset the traditionalists but its reliable.
3. Look at the state of that. Last in and first out of training kind of stuff. Bright in appearance only but come a Saturday afternoon this is perfect and delivers.
4. The spine of every team needs a good centre half, and this is exactly that. It’s Italian therefore calm, dependable and stylish. This delivers exactly what you want and probably suits a beard. Captain material.
5. Sitting alongside that it’s another home classic. Oozes class, never runs but will score from corners. If this walked into a bar it would want shaken gin and tonic.
6. At the heart of every midfield you need something hardworking and industrious. Sitting and protecting. Personification of the first in training mantra. It’s the equivalent of a little black dress.
7. Something you could enjoy all day and night. Another Italian adding flair. It gets up and down, never tires.
8. Stunning. Everyone’s favourite, surely. This gets football purists purring every single time. Guaranteed to score a cracker. You know them last minute winners from 30 yard free kicks – this is it.
9. Instead of Dixon this may as well say Livvo or Allen on the front. It’s hard working , clever, and, delivers. Holds everything up, brings others into play. Does exactly what it sets out to do.
10. I’ve renamed this the “Mendonca”. A flash here and two goals there. Any compliments for him match this.
11. Expect to see this down Pier 39 as often as sneaking in at the back post. When your mum told you about Dougie Collins it may as well go hand in hand with this. If we match this to footballers it is up there with George Best for all the right reasons.
On the bench
12. Youthful, not quite the finished article. Just missing something.
13. I’ve sacrificed a goalkeeper for this and deservedly so. Simple, effective and reminds you of home. Liked by your grandma as much as your girlfriend. Nothing out of place and maybe warranted being at a higher level as strangers see this and think old division one.
14. When you’re losing it in the middle you need this reliable number. Broad shoulders.
15. On the bench is always one that’s hard to leave out. This is the one that everyone wants in the starting XI. Definitely a super sub. Game changer.
16. When you need something different, that said it's got its home comforts.
Fellow Trust member Marc Wrawby illistrates below how they would line up: