Grimsby Town has confirmed to supporters that they will be able to take the inflatable ‘Harry Haddocks’ with them after all ahead of their Emirates FA Cup fifth-round tie away at Southampton in early March.
The Mariners confirmed on Monday that the Premier League side denied their request for supporters to bring the inflatable Haddock with them to St Mary’s Stadium, with the inflatable being confiscated from supporters who try to take them into the ground.
However, the club have announced there has been a U-turn on those plans to ban the inflatable, with the travelling Grimsby supporters now allowed to take them to Hampshire for their first FA Cup fifth-round tie since 1996.
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.
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Grimsby Town have stated on their official website that: “Since the initial decision was announced, the two clubs have worked together to find a solution and now our iconic inflatable will make an appearance at Saint Mary’s for our biggest game in the Emirates FA Cup for a generation.
“Our supporters can now look forward to playing in the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996, safe in the knowledge that Harry Haddock will also be at Southampton to mark the occasion.”
Also, speaking on the matter, Mariners CEO Debbie Cook also added: “We are really happy that Southampton have decided to let us take our Harry’s. Ever since the 1989 FA Cup, he’s been present at every big game in the club’s history, so it would have been a real shame for him not to be there.
“But both clubs have worked together to ensure Harry will be at St Mary’s and we are also grateful to the Mariners Trust for their help getting him back.
“We want our supporters to have a good and safe time while they’re on the south coast and I now can’t wait to see thousands of you in the away end, waving your Harry’s proudly.”
Grimsby, who currently sit 19th in League Two, progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup following an impressive 3-0 victory over Championship Luton Town at Blundell Park in a replay, with the previous fixture between the two sides finishing 2-2 at Kenilworth Road.
Paul Hurst’s men also took down League One high-flyers Plymouth Argyle, as well as Cambridge United and Burton Albion in the previous rounds to set up this fifth round tie against the Premier League strugglers.
Writers View
Coming from a Grimsby Town supporter who will be attending the fixture come 1st March, the news that Southampton have reversed the ban on Harry is obviously welcome, with common sense eventually prevailing to bring the inflatable to the game. It should’ve never been like this though.
It might sound petty, but the inflatable is stained within the clubs history, especially in the FA Cup. For Southampton to ban them in the first place, it was a disappointing move for the club and Mariners supporters alike.
However, I’m glad to see that the Premier League side have now seen sense by letting us take Harry to the game as the fixture promises to be an exciting occasion for the club.
