FORMER Town player Joe Waters answers our questions.

Bestall, Boylen, Waters. All legendary midfielders (in today's parlance) and not one of them over five feet five! What's more, all three played virtually all their football for the Mighty Mariners!Obviously you have been poorly, what exactly was the problem?

How are you now?

I was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue.

I went through 6 weeks of Chemo and 7 weeks of Radiation treatment and fortunately I have been in remission for 2 years but the Doctors continue to monitor me every 4 months.

I am doing everything that I was doing before my illness. Thank you to all the people who emailed me at that time it was a comfort to know you cared.

How did your move to Grimsby Town come about?

I had decided that my career at Leicester was going nowhere so I asked for a transfer. Many teams wanted to take me on loan but only Town offered a loan with an offer to buy at the end.

When the Directors decided that the £15,000 fee was too much I returned to Filbert Street. I thought that was the end of it.

I receive a phone call from Tom Casey telling me that there was great disappointment that I had not been signed. He then asked if I was still interested in coming to the Mariners as there were members of the Supporters Club who wanted to start a campaign to raise money to buy me.

He did not want them to waste their time if I was no longer interested. Tom had also sent me the Sports Telegraph with many letters to the editor in which fans expressed their displeasure at me not being signed. These letters and the notion that the fans were prepared to work to help raise money to get me there only made more determined to join the club.

Many people were involvedMr Brown who initiated the whole campaign but the one that stands out was Brian Jones a gifted local runner. Brian ran from Filbert Street to Blundell Park to arrive at half time of the game to a huge ovation as he did a lap of honor. It also has to be remembered that the board at a very tough time for the clubboth on the field and financially made sure that the deal would go through. I am forever grateful to all these people for giving me the opportunity to play for the Mariners.

What were your first impressions of the club at that time?

It was a dull miserable day when I arrived at Blundell Park and pulled into the old directors parking lot behind the Main Stand. I looked around and thought there is no way that I am coming here everything looked so drab compared to Filbert Street. But then came the home games and all those thoughts disappeared.

Who was here then?

Dave Boylen, Jack Lewis, Harry Wainman, Dave Booth and Frank Barton to name but a few.

Which game for Grimsby stands out for you and why?

The day we won the third Championship at Blundell Park against Sheffield United.

Our Team played brilliantly and personally I felt that I had played back a little to everyone who had brought me to the club.

What are your fondest memories of being a Town player?

The were great games in different ways. The Everton game the atmosphere in the ground was electric and when the fans in the Barrett Stand caught the first glimpse of me leading the team down the tunnel the roar would start and by the time we hit the pitch it had spread around the ground it gave you goose bumps and then to win with Mike Brolly's 2 goals fantastic.

The Liverpool game was unique because it was at Anfield. I think that may have been the first time we emptied the town it seemed everyone was there. Some of our fans even had to go in the Kop because they could fit anywhere else. That was the biggest crowd of the day in the country.

I met Steve Highyway the legendary Liverpool winger in the players lounge before the match and he told not to do anything silly as he did not want to come to Cleethorpes on Tuesday night for a replay. The atmosphere was amazing and although we lost I will never forget the Kop chanting Kenny Dogfish and Terry Mackerel.

Another great memory is beating Chelsea at the Bridge 3-2 after being 2-0 down.

Was you sad to leave Grimsby?

I was very sad to leave Grimsby. I had never considered living elsewhere but all good things come to an end and I left with the club in its highest position for years.

You opened a video shop in Freeman Street - what happened after that?

We sold the store when I left.

How did your move to the USA come about?

A phone call out of the blue from Freddie Goodwin the ex Birmingham manager set it up.

What happened when you got to the USA?

I played for the Tacoma Stars in the Major Indoor Soccer League and played over 450 games - the most for any player and also had the longest streak of games in a row.

Are you still involved in football?

Very much so.I coach at Bellarmine prep a Jesuit High School. For 16 years I coached the boys and for 6 years I have coached the girls. We have the most successful combined soccer in the State. I am also the coaching director for Harbor F.C. - a Premier Club of about 1300 players - boys and girls. I also coach 2 teams in the Club Boys under 13 and under 16 and I also have my own soccer camps in the summer. So I kind of keep busy.

Do you have any children, if so do they player soccer? - are they as good as you were?

I have 3 Daughters all have played. Kelly, the oldest, is about to become a mother for the first time (I still cant get used to the Grandfather thing). Lindley and Shauna are both playing in college and I am very proud of them all. They are pretty useful.

Do you keep in touch with any of the old Town players?

I have not seen a town player since the last time I was in Grimsby I speak to Dave Boylen from time to time.

Bobby Cumming is in the States - do you keep in touch with him?

I have no way to get in contact with Bobby I wish I had.

Would you like to meet up with all the old guys again?

It would be great to see some of the boys again. I said to Dave Boylen my team and his team were the last to bring a League Championship trophy to the club and wouldn't it be marvellous if someone was to organise a reunion for both thoseteams together.

Do you follow the fortunes of GTFC?

Yes I do it is the first result I look for every week.

What are your thoughts on the team at the moment?

I think it is a great pity what is happening to this great club and its supporters.

It saddens me that players do not want to play for and live in this wonderful community.

Hopefully, like me, they will realise their initial misconceptions are wrong and be proud and privileged to wear the black and white stripes of Grimsby Town F.C.

It is encouraging to see the board appoint Mike Newell as manager. He has a good pedigree to attract players and with hard work and a little luck he can return the club to better times. Good Luck to him.

Do you see any of Town's games on TV?

At one time they were doing a run down of all the leagues on Fox Soccer and I would see them but they have stopped doing that. Now I may catch the odd cup match.

We would like to thank Joe for answering all our questions and wish him well for the future. If you would like to contact Joe directly he would love to hear from you. E-mail us for his contact details.