Spurs and Man City enter Checkatrade Trophy

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

What's the point of the statement then? "We the board don't like it but you can all do your own thing",

Pretty much yeah. They can't physically force people not to go. That would be against the law.

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

What's the point of the statement then? "We the board don't like it but you can all do your own thing",

The Trust Board seem to concur with the view of many that the Trophy in its current form is wrong. They also accept that people have the right to make up their own minds.

Seems perfectly reasonable stance to me, they are not a dictatorship after all!

I will still be boycotting every game

Well I've rewritten it for them as I'm helpful like that:



The Mariners Trust Board remains unanimously against the inclusion of Category 1 under 21 teams in the Checkatrade Trophy. The Trust has listened to members – both on social media and through direct correspondence – and feels the inclusion of teams such as Manchester City and other top sides is against the ethos of the competition. We feel the issue has been handled poorly by the Football League and that fans’ views have not been listened to despite protests and boycotts last season, resulting in one of the lowest home attendances in the club’s history.

The Trust’s representative on the board of Grimsby Town FC voted against the measure when it was discussed ahead of the annual Football League meeting.

The Trust board respects the rights of fans to choose to attend matches as they see fit. However, it is clear that the majority of GTFC fans are against the inclusion of U21 teams and therefore the Trust will be promoting a boycott of this season's Checkatrade Trophy.

Think it's a fair summation myself. They are against it, have stated they are against it and voted against it at the board meeting. The boards decision went the other way and they were out-voted, so i don't see what else they can do. Of course it's up to each individual whether to attend or not. I won't be attending but i won't demonise anyone that is. I think they are wrong to do so, but ultimately, it's their choice.

Quoted from psgmariner

The opening sentence is as follows:

The Mariners Trust Board remains unanimously against the inclusion of Category 1 under 21 teams in the Checkatrade Trophy.

That's the opposite of wishy washy fence sitting. I think it's great they put this out but they must wonder why they bother sometimes!

That's great that they're all against it and recognise that the vast majority of the fans are against it. They could openly put pressure on the club in the statement and I don't think it's unreasonable for them to support the boycott seeing as the vast majority of fans have not been listened to.

Not a pop at the trust. They have made their position quite clear.
But I have always thought that the stark reality is that what John Fenty wants, John Fenty gets.
And the chuckatwat trophy emphasises that point.  

As the old saying goes

'All those in favour say aye'    'All those against say 'I resign'   😉

Do we have 2 members of the Trust on the board still or has it been reduced to one ?

Quoted from grimsby pete

Do we have 2 members of the Trust on the board still or has it been reduced to one ?

There's currently one.

As the person who wrote the 'wishy washy' statement, we were asked by a number of supporters to make our feelings clear. That's been done at club board level - the matter was debated, the Trust rep voted against - and so we're communicating the course of action. If there was unanimous feeling by fans then I'm sure the Trust would support a boycott. But there isn't and so I personally (and the Trust board agrees) don't think it would be right or fair to push that on anyone. People will, and rightly should, make up their own minds.

FWIW I won't be attending any of the games, nor Wembley should we get there, but I respect the wishes of those who want to.

Quoted from bax

As the person who wrote the 'wishy washy' statement, we were asked by a number of supporters to make our feelings clear. That's been done at club board level - the matter was debated, the Trust rep voted against - and so we're communicating the course of action. If there was unanimous feeling by fans then I'm sure the Trust would support a boycott. But there isn't and so I personally (and the Trust board agrees) don't think it would be right or fair to push that on anyone. People will, and rightly should, make up their own minds.

FWIW I won't be attending any of the games, nor Wembley should we get there, but I respect the wishes of those who want to.

Thanks for that and sorry if you were offended by my remarks.

I just feel that there's an air of inevitability developing and I was hoping that the Trust would champion more of a hardline stance, towards the club as well as to the Football League.