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The attendances will probably slowly pick up into acceptance aswell, they probably anticipated it, and once its part of a cup competition, it wont be as much of a huge shock if they let them in say tier 7 or 8 either. Over time just allow them to be promoted a league higher bit by bit, eventually youve got the premier league and the premier league practice leagues, thats my conspiracy theory anyway

Only one solution to this - total boycott.

Yep, boycott the b4st4rd.

I still see no benefit to me, as a fan, why I should pay money to watch what is, in effect, a reserve game, that stands to benefit the big teams more than it does us.

I support Grimsby because that's where I'm from, that's part of my identity, that's my local club. I want to see my local club do well. It's tribal. It's community.

I don't subscribe to doing anything that benefits other clubs to the degree that it makes it nigh-on impossible for my club to prosper at their level.

Sadly, Harvey can do what he likes. I'm not necessarily boycotting to make a political statement; more that I just don't want to pay £16 or £18 to watch someone else's team get a run-out.

It's an insult.

Shove it where the sun don't shine.

Boycott. Don't care who we play when where or why. Will not go to any of these games ever. Not even Wembley if it happened.

It's an insult to our professionals and our grand old club to put out an XI to provide a training match for the technically useless and developmentally-discredited Premier League "Academy" teams.

Not interested in this competition whatsoever..... rammit sideways !!!

More action than boycotts required for the powers that be to listen. Best would be a complete boycott of a weekend of league fixtures but that might be difficult to find a weekend where all L1/2 clubs have a game that isn't a derby or whatever.

It's a shame, as after '98, I have fond memories of this tournament as it was then. Realistically, our only chance of getting to Wembley and winning a cup. I'd have been in favour of returning to the previous format of league one and two teams. Okay, the attendances for the early rounds were poor, but not as poor as this frankenstein like format. Allow teams to field whatever sides they want, when it gets to the regional semi finals, it gets interesting.

As it stands, it's just a bow down to the Premier League masters shoving a piffling amount of £££ into the peasants coffers. Pathetic, the club should have more pride.

so, we draw Chelsea or Spurs away in the shite cup - I'll be there.

We can't draw them away I don't think and if we do it wouldn't be at Stamford Bridge or the Etihad it'd be at Aldershot or City's smaller stadium.

We'll struggle to get Spurs or Chelsea in the regionalised draw.

Anyway, I'm just glad that we're a step closer to winning the world cup next summer.

Quoted from 75

It's a shame, as after '98, I have fond memories of this tournament as it was then. Realistically, our only chance of getting to Wembley and winning a cup. I'd have been in favour of returning to the previous format of league one and two teams.

Non League Lincoln made it to the quarter finals....Chesterfield, Tranmere, Millwall..all teams who have run it close in relatively recent years.....with the major clubs and top end Championship clubs ignoring the domestic cups then the opportunities exist now for League 1& League 2 sides

I'd say realistic is fair enough - Tranny and Millwall were championship teams and Chesterfield was 2 decades ago!

Quoted from moosey_club

Non League Lincoln made it to the quarter finals....Chesterfield, Tranmere, Millwall..all teams who have run it close in relatively recent years.....with the major clubs and top end Championship clubs ignoring the domestic cups then the opportunities exist now for League 1& League 2 sides

I did say 'realistically it's the only chance we have of winning a cup'. We are not realistically going to ever win the league cup, nor the FA Cup in my opinion although I respect yours of course.

A boycott of all games as far as I'm concerned, however it could be argued when we play against the league 1 or 2 teams, we shouldn't boycott because they would have been in the competition anyway, that's not necessarily my line of thinking but others may think that.

Quoted from 75

I did say 'realistically it's the only chance we have of winning a cup'. We are not realistically going to ever win the league cup, nor the FA Cup in my opinion although I respect yours of course.

Every dog has its day as scabby mongrel Lincoln showed last season...Lenny Lawrence was one of those who had the cup approach of...9 times out of 10 there should only be one winner..... but perhaps today is that 1 time.
It is still obviously unrealistic and arguably some of the tougher games exist in the early rounds when all the lower teams are actually competing for it, get past round 3 and the reserve teams start to enter the cup so "shocks" are becoming more frequent.
All part of the devaluing of the home competitions the Premier League, Champions League and now Europa League has brought to our game.

I will still be boycotting this competition full stop.

Yeah lets boycott it, we have no interest in going to Man City, Newcastle or Wembley. Bloody premier league are trying to takeover. As if. What is peoples beef with the competition?

Quoted from HotToddy

Yeah lets boycott it, we have no interest in going to Man City, Newcastle or Wembley. Bloody premier league are trying to takeover. As if. What is peoples beef with the competition?

FFS

I think what could kill it is if one or even both finalists are Premier League development teams. Just imagine the attendance of a Swansea U23 v Manchester City U23 final. As much as the first year was a failure there was still a well attended Wembley final with all the financial benefits at the end. Your average Swansea or City fan wouldn't be bothered about trekking all that way for their youth team, don't even think if one of the London teams got there they'd be too bothered either.

Yeah that's a very good point. The FL (the E can fuck off) got very lucky with last year's finalists.

Yep, let's hope for a proper boycott once again without splitters like the Cov fans ruining things. It would be amusing to see that smug rear end Harvey attempting to explain how the competition had been a success with average attendances a fraction of previous levels.

Town to face Scummy and Donny and as yet unknown category 1 club

1 from:-
Everton
Leicester City
Manchester City
Middlesbrough
Newcastle United
Stoke City
Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion

If I was sceptical of Harvey and Co, I would almost think it was fixed.
I will be twitching, but still boycotting. UTM.

Quoted from Sigone

Town to face Scummy and Donny and as yet unknown category 1 club

1 from:-
Everton
Leicester City
Manchester City
Middlesbrough
Newcastle United
Stoke City
Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion

STILL WILL NOT BE GOING !

Quoted from Civvy at last

If I was sceptical of Harvey and Co, I would almost think it was fixed.
I will be twitching, but still boycotting. UTM.

Agreed Civvy. It'll be difficult to be playing either of those sides and not attending, but the path is set now. Boycott all the way.

This will be so hard to boycott but I stand by my decision until the under23's aren't in it

No chance I will be going. Got to keep up the boycott. Have no sympathy with the club who've completely let us down.

I'll be missing my first Lincolnshire Derby since 2004.

This is the way the competition should have been organised except for the Under 23's.

Local derbies generate interest and this was all that they needed to do to give the competition a shot in the arm.

Instead the owners/Chairmen took the Premiership dollar and in turn flicked a 'V' sign at their bread and butter form of income i.e. their fanbase. I am convinced it will lose them money and goodwill rather than making a few quid from a couple of games.

Owners and Chairmen often talk about being custodians. Shame they dont act like them

Agreed Cloudy, all they had to do was regionalise it. Sledgehammer to crack a walnut.

Quoted from Cloudy

This is the way the competition should have been organised except for the Under 23's.

Local derbies generate interest and this was all that they needed to do to give the competition a shot in the arm.

Instead the owners/Chairmen took the Premiership dollar and in turn flicked a 'V' sign at their bread and butter form of income i.e. their fanbase. I am convinced it will lose them money and goodwill rather than making a few quid from a couple of games.

Owners and Chairmen often talk about being custodians. Shame they dont act like them

Absolutely. I would've gone to every game if it was just regionalised.

might just have to pop down Grimsby Rd on the night for a fight then (boxer)...

at least Harvey is learning...regional games (thumbup2) ....now just ditch the Premiershite teams and we are on our way !

Quoted from moosey_club

might just have to pop down Grimsby Rd on the night for a fight then (boxer)...

at least Harvey is learning...regional games (thumbup2) ....now just ditch the Premiershite teams and we are on our way !

Harvey will never learn while he's got a hole in his behind. There is only one important thing in his life and that's him. Anything his does is to cover his back, make him look better or to eventually get his own way.

The man is scum imo. End of.

Keep this boycott going. It is vital for the long term future of our club and others clubs like us. Give him half an inch and tw8t will take 10 miles.

UTFM

Ps rant over, feel better after that 😊

Chuck Lincoln in our group instead of a shitey nursery team and it creates a brilliant early season buzz. They really are idiots at the top echelons of the game aren't they?

Total boycott . No other option . Unfortunately there's mugs who will still go .

Quoted from moosey_club

might just have to pop down Grimsby Rd on the night for a fight then (boxer)...

at least Harvey is learning...regional games (thumbup2) ....now just ditch the Premiershite teams and we are on our way !

Be very careful Moosey.
Rumour has it that our old friend Iron Smiler is hitting the gym in anticipation already 💪💪💪. 😂😂😂😂

You may as well get the Harlem globetrotters into this farce of a competition

Scunny & Donny? The police will move KO to 10:45 on a Wednesday morning for those, making it difficult for most to attend anyway. ;)

If someone gets Spurs away, does that mean it will be played at Wembley??

Quoted from Civvy at last

If someone gets Spurs away, does that mean it will be played at Wembley??

Still not going even if its us at Wembley.

Quoted from grimsby pete

Still not going even if its us at Wembley.

Nor me Pete. But as Spurs will be playing their home games at Wembley and Wankerharvey has said the prem clubs will play in their Stadium I just wondered if that will happen.

Anyone heard any more about the idea of fans' games on the same night as the Checkatwat games?

Cue a crowd lower than an FA Vase final ;D

(And it can't be v us anyway)

(Re Spurs)

The pram teams only play there matches away.

Prem teams I should add.

Quoted from zorro_is_a_Mariner

Prem teams I should add.

Pram teams works! Them being the younglings.

Anyway, I just read the Mariners Trust's statement on the Trophy. I thought it was a little bit wishy washy fence sitting and trying to avoid having to sit on the naughty chair in the BP boardroom.

"we entirely support the decision of each individual supporter to make up their own mind" sounds very much like "we don't want to get involved".

http://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/trust-statement-the-checkatrade-trophy/

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

Pram teams works! Them being the younglings.

Anyway, I just read the Mariners Trust's statement on the Trophy. I thought it was a little bit wishy washy fence sitting and trying to avoid having to sit on the naughty chair in the BP boardroom.

"we entirely support the decision of each individual supporter to make up their own mind" sounds very much like "we don't want to get involved".

http://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/trust-statement-the-checkatrade-trophy/

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!

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!

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

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.

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

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.

No offence taken.

What hardline stance should the Trust take, out of interest? A boycott didn't work last year - infact they upped the bribe of prize money - so in my opinion that failed and isn't worth repeating. I just don't see what 'hardline stance' would work.

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.

Spot on Bax.

The trust made its (and most of the fans) position clear.
John Fenty decided to totally ignore the wishes of the trust and what would seem to be the vast majority of fans. Amazingly enough so did the other puppets on the board. That's not the trusts fault in any way.

To be fair the club does not need the Trust to tell them the fans do not like the set up,

The attendances tells them how the fans feel about it.

Quoted from grimsby pete

To be fair the club does not need the Trust to tell them the fans do not like the set up,

The attendances tells them how the fans feel about it.

But the pieces of silver from Mr Harvey obviously outweighs the thoughts of the fans.

Given the group we are in it will test the resolve of those planning a boycott. However, it would send a message to the 'club' if we still stayed away in numbers.

Not that it would make the blindest bit of notice to the 'cough' board.

I tend to agree with Southwark in the statement's 'wishy-washiness'. I just don't see the point of the statement "we entirely support the decision of each individual supporter to make up their own mind". I don't think anyone would oppose the idea of anyone making up their own mind - if the opposite of a statement doesn't make sense then it's probably a pointless statement.

You wouldn't say 'we don't support the decision of each individual supporter....'.

In purely hard-nosed business terms, if the PL are prepared to up the wedge when faced with a 75% boycott, then we should go for a total boycott. :)

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.

It's clearly a massive majority of fans even if it's not unanimous. Surely the trust should be putting more pressure on the club publicly? We've seen record low attandances and the trust have canvassed fans.

Quoted from bax

What hardline stance should the Trust take, out of interest? A boycott didn't work last year - infact they upped the bribe of prize money - so in my opinion that failed and isn't worth repeating. I just don't see what 'hardline stance' would work.

They had to change the format and increase prize money. I don't see that as failure. The next step is getting rid of category 1 development squads. We need to keep the pressure on them and empty stadiums will affect sponsorship deals.

The Trust could lead a boycott and help keep momentum going. You don't need unanimous support for it. The new stadium plans don't have unanimous support but the Trust fully backs those plans. Also, people can still make their own minds up as they did when choosing whether to buy a season ticket during Operation 3000.

How do we 100% know the club voted in favour for this competition? I imagine they might have but we don't 100% know for sure.

Quoted from Davec

How do we 100% know the club voted in favour for this competition? I imagine they might have but we don't 100% know for sure.

There was a statement by the club.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

There was a statement by the club.

Yes, but apart from that ? :-/ ;)

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

They had to change the format and increase prize money. I don't see that as failure. The next step is getting rid of category 1 development squads. We need to keep the pressure on them and empty stadiums will affect sponsorship deals.

The Trust could lead a boycott and help keep momentum going. You don't need unanimous support for it. The new stadium plans don't have unanimous support but the Trust fully backs those plans. Also, people can still make their own minds up as they did when choosing whether to buy a season ticket during Operation 3000.

The FL has strengthened its hand on the Trophy by bribing clubs with extra cash, the prospect of bigger development squads (Man City and Spurs) and local derbies in the group games! If you think that's a win for the fans, I'd hate to see a loss! ;)

A boycott failed last year. Why would it work this year? IMO something has to be done to keep the pressure on, but it's not by carrying on something that didn't work last season. If someone can come up with a better plan to keep the pressure on, I/we are all ears.

GTFC
Donny
Scunny
Sunderland

Confirmed group H.

Ah yes, the club that poached our youth team manager. Good to know we can help Sunderland's players of the future even more.

Boycotts only work when everybody sticks together. The final last year was around 75,000. This was a big PR coup for the organisers. We are slowly losing the fight to stop significant (bad) change to how money and power prevail.

Quoted from brigg_mariner

GTFC
Donny
Scunny
Sunderland

Confirmed group H.

It could be Man U, Real Madrid, and Barcelona and I still wouldn't watch one second of it.
#harveyyouwanker

How exciting. Sunderland under 12s. Or as the OS will call them, FA Cup winners Sunderland.

Quoted from bax

The FL has strengthened its hand on the Trophy by bribing clubs with extra cash, the prospect of bigger development squads (Man City and Spurs) and local derbies in the group games! If you think that's a win for the fans, I'd hate to see a loss! ;)

A boycott failed last year. Why would it work this year? IMO something has to be done to keep the pressure on, but it's not by carrying on something that didn't work last season. If someone can come up with a better plan to keep the pressure on, I/we are all ears.

Improved attendances show the changes as a success. Surely ending the boycott would be the worst response? The boycott and game between fans seems like a great idea

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

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....whereas the rest of the GTFC board appear happy to sell their soul, drop their pants, put their fingers in their ears and chomp on anything Harvey puts their way

You missed a bit ;)

Quoted from bax

The FL has strengthened its hand on the Trophy by bribing clubs with extra cash, the prospect of bigger development squads (Man City and Spurs) and local derbies in the group games! If you think that's a win for the fans, I'd hate to see a loss! ;)

A boycott failed last year. Why would it work this year? IMO something has to be done to keep the pressure on, but it's not by carrying on something that didn't work last season. If someone can come up with a better plan to keep the pressure on, I/we are all ears.

In what way did it fail? They changed the format to try to foster more interest and throw more money at it. If they didn't get the message fully the first time we need to keep it up not give in. Make the boycott more complete - the Trust could take a leadership role instead of watering down its statements. A continuing and stronger boycott might eventually result in the right change in format.

Granted new ideas could be developed to up the pressure. How about the Trust getting together with trusts from other clubs and organising fans games on the same night as the trophy games? Subject to availability of grounds we could easily get bigger crowds than the official games. That would really be re-claiming football.

Any of these games televised? Organise a mass noisy protest outside the ground.

Put pressure on the sponsors. Other trades comparison websites exist and would be up for a bit of guerrilla marketing ;)

Get together with other clubs trusts and organise a delegation handing over a petition (48 clubs reps, several hundred thousand potential signatories) at FL headquarters.

I'm sure there must be many other ideas out there. The fans that came up with Operations Promotion and Mariachi have shown they can do it before.There's lots of creativity.

if I remember correctly most attendances were the lowest ever, then Coventry & Oxford ruined it in the final.

Quoted from bax

The FL has strengthened its hand on the Trophy by bribing clubs with extra cash, the prospect of bigger development squads (Man City and Spurs) and local derbies in the group games! If you think that's a win for the fans, I'd hate to see a loss! ;)

A boycott failed last year. Why would it work this year? IMO something has to be done to keep the pressure on, but it's not by carrying on something that didn't work last season. If someone can come up with a better plan to keep the pressure on, I/we are all ears.

Record low attendances across L1 and L2 clubs. The boycott was hardly a failure. The only mistake was not boycotting the final but by that point the tournament had become such a farce there seemed no chance of it continuing anyway. We now know that chairman including JF are happy to not have supporters attending matches as long as they get some extra cash. The boycott needs to continue as any rise in attendances will only be used against us. However, the pressure needs to be stepped up. This could be in the form of a fans game on the same night, a boycott of league games, a boycott of merchandise, a mass walkout at a league game. Whatever it is something needs to be done. The biggest problem we have is the enemy within. We need to show JF and the Football League that our proud club should not be playing the youth team of clubs that we have beaten in the past and will do in the future. Make no mistake about it the group we have been given is no coincidence but if we want a team to support for generations to come we need to make a strong stand now before it's too late.