Grimsby Town has confirmed that supporters are banned from bringing inflatable ‘Harry Haddocks’ to their FA Cup fifth-round tie away at Premier League struggling Premier League side Southampton in March.
The Mariners have confirmed that Southampton has denied their request to let supporters take the inflatable haddock into St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday 1st March and that any supporter who tries to bring one in will have it con-fish-cated. Fans were left stuck between a rock and a hard plaice.
The inflatable haddock became synonymous with the club back in 1989 when hundreds of the 7,000 Grimsby supporters went to Plough Lane with an inflatable ‘Harry Haddock’ when they played Wimbledon in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
This news comes ahead of Grimsby competing in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996, where they lost 4-1 to Chelsea in a replay with the previous fixture fin-ishing goalless.
We have received confirmation this afternoon from Southampton that Harry Haddocks will not be allowed at St Mary's for our Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round tie.
Our full statement is available on our website.
🌐 https://t.co/BbhKlpnbMv#GTFC
— GTFC SLO (@GTFC_SLO) February 13, 2023
On the matter, a club statement reads: “The Club have today received confirmation from Southampton that Harry Haddocks will not be permitted at St Mary’s for our Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round tie.
“We made initial requests to the Premier League club last week for our supporters to be able to take the iconic inflatable to our Fifth Round tie on Wednesday 1st March but this afternoon our hosts officially declined the request.
“Southampton have made similar refusals to other clubs throughout this campaign and it is not just a decision aimed at Mariners supporters. Any supporters who take Harry Haddocks into the stadium will have them confiscated.
“We share our supporters’ inevitable frustration at this decision but we know you will support us brilliantly in our first FA Cup Fifth Round tie since 1996.”
As well as the club statement, Grimsby boss Paul Hurst told BBC Radio Humberside that it’s a shame that fans can’t bring the inflatable haddock to the game, but hopes the club can arrange another game in which fans can bring them.
🗣 “It does seem a shame, doesn’t it?”
⚽️ @officialgtfc manager Paul Hurst shares his disappointment at fans not being allowed to take Harry Haddocks to Southampton.
🎧 Listen to the full interview ahead of #gtfc going to Gillingham: https://t.co/YsSrez8R6l@RadioHumberside pic.twitter.com/RO4juKXpTi
— BBC Humberside Sport (@HumbersideSport) February 14, 2023
“It does seem a shame, doesn’t it?,’ expressed Hurst. “There has been a lot of press and it’s obviously went down very well with our fans with it being linked to the history of the football club.
“It’s frustrating but it’s a bit of a strange decision. We talk about teams having their moments and to get to go to a Premier League side, we’re talking about an inflatable to my mind which is certainly not offensive or anything like that.
“It takes the fun a little bit away from it, but it’s their decision and so we have to abide by that. I’m sure we can arrange another game at some point where we’ll be able to have Harry out in full force.”
Grimsby’s incredible FA cup run started with a fin-tastic home display against League One promotion chasers Plymouth Argyle, in which Paul Hurst’s men ran out dominant 5-1 winners at Blundell Park.
A 2-1 and 1-0 victory against more League One opposition in Cambridge United and Burton Albion respectively followed, with the club being set up an away tie to Championship high-flyers Luton Town in round four.
Following an entertaining 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road, the Mariners mussel-ed past Rob Edwards’ Luton side as they pulled off a shock result to run away 3-0 winners at Blundell Park, with all three goals coming in the first half to set up this away tie at Southampton.
Twitter reaction
Quite deflating, feel let down. Still plenty more fish in the sea… FA Cup demeaning enough being midweek, now take some of the fun away too. https://t.co/Wdj7laO8Oz
— Dave Laister (@DaveLaister) February 13, 2023
I really don’t think @SouthamptonFC realise what they’ve started with this. When will clubs learn 😂 #gtfc https://t.co/9tlrWRzLC9
— Mike McMahon (@MikeyMcMahon) February 13, 2023
#FreeHarryHaddock https://t.co/obvFLyRUGV
— Sam Lenthall (@heardaboutit8) February 13, 2023
Can we send Southampton confirmation that’s he’s still coming, what a ridiculous decision to stop young kids making memories !
— Pete Rose (@3Qnutsandrusty2) February 13, 2023
Writers view
Writing this piece as a Grimsby supporter myself, I can’t help but feel this is disappointing news for the club, especially how much of a staple the inflatable haddock means to the club. I see it as a club trying to remove the atmosphere from the travelling supporters on a brilliant occasion for the club and it just doesn’t sit right with me.
One thing I will say is never underestimate Grimsby Town supporters. A similar incident happened at Barnet in 2017 in which the North London side banned away supporters from bringing inflatables into the ground, in which the club and the fans dug into their pockets to hire a Mariachi band for the game as a result.
Regardless, it will be an excellent occasion for the club when they travel down to Hampshire in early March in which they’ll look to create a big splash in what is already an excellent cup run.
Editor’s note: Editing this article has given me the oppor-tuna-ty to slip in the odd fish pun to see if the writer notices. Yes I’m pro-fish-ional – Ryan Whelan
How do you make an octopus laugh?
Give it ten-tickles…
