Club bar Clee Chronicle from interviewing Slade

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Is this a new low? Absolutely shameful stuff from the club - we really are run by a bunch of clowns. Fenty and his useless mate in charge of Press & PR (Dale Ladson) really need to be copulated off asap for some competent replacements who actually understand the value of local journalism, especially considering they'll need all the support they can get if they ever want this new stadium built.

a disgrace

The Cleethorpes what?  

Presumably Slade will only be doing 1-2-1 interviews with the New York Times and L'equipe this season.

You'd think with the incompetence of the club to advertise stuff (like pre-season friendlies as a current example) they'd be begging for free advertising. This reminds me of the RH/Compass FM debacle.

The Cleethorpes Chronicle has been an excellent medium for bringing the local and wider community news and information about its local football league club. To ask for renumeration when the club's manager is to be interviewed is frankly absurd. The paper offers its readers quality reporting which is more than can be said about the woeful efforts of its own media team.

Quoted from Abdul19

Presumably Slade will only be doing 1-2-1 interviews with the New York Times and L'equipe this season.

Town still not happy with Gazzetta dello Sport's coverage of the chicken wing incident.

Presumably the clubs response to Nigel Lowthers questions at Slades first press conference. Pretty pathetic tbh

Time and again we see this 2-3 times every season and it`s pathetic.

But they did refuse 'FREE' press passes...

I don't know what the clown in charge of PR has got on John Fenty, but it must be fking good.
Unless of course he is in the role voluntarily and that would explain a lot.

Quoted from Civvy at last

I don't know what the clown in charge of PR has got on John Fenty, but it must be fking good.
Unless of course he is in the role voluntarily and that would explain a lot.

Don't believe for one moment this decision is anything other than from JF himself. Dale isn't empowered to do anything off his own back

Quoted from Civvy at last

I don't know what the clown in charge of PR has got on John Fenty, but it must be fking good.
Unless of course he is in the role voluntarily and that would explain a lot.

Do you really think that Dale is a decision maker?

So that's also one less away day commentator... Nigel has been a regular away day co-commentator so will that be affected as well ?????

Amateurish !

Quoted from acko338

So that's also one less away day commentator... Nigel has been a regular away day co-commentator so will that be affected as well ?????

Amateurish !

Doubt it, Humberside/JT seem to get whoever they can and nothing to do with GTFC

They have put money into the club by refusing free passes and bought season tickets,

You are a disgrace Fenty, Sort It !!!!!!!

Quoted from gtfc98

Do you really think that Dale is a decision maker?

Dave Smith is Dale boss

Maybe there is two sides to this story? Have the chronicle been barred from GTFC?  

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick, but why is everybody getting upset over this?

As far as I can see, a local newspaper had 1-2-1 access to the local football team manager for free. I would assume that this would increase there turnover so the club asked for a bit of sponsorship for this - in my eyes a financial decision as the newspaper are using the club to increase revenue so why shouldn't the club benefit from that, too?

Surely one of the main objectives of the club should be to reach out to those who currently don't regularly attend games, especially those who live locally and could easily get to BP, given a nudge in the right direction. A bit of free publicity in a local paper could be worth far more in gate receipts that a small amount of immediate sponsorship. It's a no brainer. I'm quite shocked.

Quoted from GrimRob

I'm quite shocked.

The saddest thing is that you shouldn't be.

Quoted from GrimRob

Surely one of the main objectives of the club should be to reach out to those who currently don't regularly attend games, especially those who live locally and could easily get to BP, given a nudge in the right direction. A bit of free publicity in a local paper could be worth far more in gate receipts that a small amount of immediate sponsorship. It's a no brainer. I'm quite shocked.

To be honest, this doesn't really hold up for me. How often have you asked your mate what they were doing this Saturday and they've gone " Well, I was going to go shopping with the Mrs but after reading a cracking article in the Cleethorpes Chronicle I'm going to go to the match instead". Just doesn't happen, you either go to games or you don't.

Typical Fenty mentality. "You don't get anything for free."
Even mutually beneficial goodwill it seems.  
Utterly ridiculous situation AGAIN.

Quoted from SteffiMariner

To be honest, this doesn't really hold up for me. How often have you asked your mate what they were doing this Saturday and they've gone " Well, I was going to go shopping with the Mrs but after reading a cracking article in the Cleethorpes Chronicle I'm going to go to the match instead". Just doesn't happen, you either go to games or you don't.

I think the only way to entice more people to go is by success on the pitch. Just look at Lincoln, a couple of seasons back getting less than 2000 for games, now having won the National League title and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, they've sold nearly 6000 season tickets.

If we start winning the fans will come and I really think that is the only way that you will see more people at the game, rather than anything a newspaper can print.

Quoted from SteffiMariner

To be honest, this doesn't really hold up for me. How often have you asked your mate what they were doing this Saturday and they've gone " Well, I was going to go shopping with the Mrs but after reading a cracking article in the Cleethorpes Chronicle I'm going to go to the match instead". Just doesn't happen, you either go to games or you don't.

You're absolutely spot on.

In fact I don't know why the club advertises any games at all.
Let's start by getting rid of that stupid signpost outside the ground that says who our next opponents are.  And as for that stupid electronic scoreboard, you either know the score or you shouldn't be there. And as for a report in the telegraph.  If you didn't pay to go to the match, why should you be told how it went.  

FFS

Quoted from SteffiMariner

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick, but why is everybody getting upset over this?

As far as I can see, a local newspaper had 1-2-1 access to the local football team manager for free. I would assume that this would increase there turnover so the club asked for a bit of sponsorship for this - in my eyes a financial decision as the newspaper are using the club to increase revenue so why shouldn't the club benefit from that, too?

The 1-2-1 access is very occasional and not access 24/7 or anything remotely like it.

As far as I know the Chronicle is largely distributed for free (although it can be bought) and its income comes primarily from advertisers.

I understand they asked to have a chat with Russ for the pre season but were stopped unless they paid for the privilege.  

Just comes down to shortsightedness and childish behaviour by the club IMO and the sad thing is not many are surprised

I see JF has logged on to view

Sack the board!

Clearly Fenty and Slade were pi**ed off by Nigel's question at the appointment press conference but it was a legitimate question that many Town fans would have asked had they been in the position to ask it. As others have said, it's so typical of the dogmatic way the club has been run for way too long, the fans always come last in the board's eyes.

Quoted from SteffiMariner

To be honest, this doesn't really hold up for me. How often have you asked your mate what they were doing this Saturday and they've gone " Well, I was going to go shopping with the Mrs but after reading a cracking article in the Cleethorpes Chronicle I'm going to go to the match instead". Just doesn't happen, you either go to games or you don't.

Many things can influence someone's decision on whether they go to a game or not and whether they continue to go to games.

GTFC promote themselves as a club with strong links in the local community (feel free to disagree).

Trying to make a few quid off a local paper gives an overwhelming impression of short term penny pinching, at a time when the club should be doing everything it can to bolster and expand its support.

Perhaps Slade just got sick of Lowther phoning him in the early hours of the morning to ask what the injury situation is?  

Quoted from GrimRob

Surely one of the main objectives of the club should be to reach out to those who currently don't regularly attend games, especially those who live locally and could easily get to BP, given a nudge in the right direction. A bit of free publicity in a local paper could be worth far more in gate receipts that a small amount of immediate sponsorship. It's a no brainer. I'm quite shocked.

Et Tu? Grim Rob.

What is it with Tories wanting to control the media?

Quoted from Balthazar Bullitt

Many things can influence someone's decision on whether they go to a game or not and whether they continue to go to games.

GTFC promote themselves as a club with strong links in the local community (feel free to disagree).

Trying to make a few quid off a local paper gives an overwhelming impression of short term penny pinching, at a time when the club should be doing everything it can to bolster and expand its support.

Agree with this. Local coverage can only be a good thing for promoting the club. I can't help but think this decision has more to do with NL's questions of RS than anything else. Its like with Fergie, if you ask difficult questions, you wont be invited back.

End of the day the main people who miss out is the fans as it's one less outlet for gtfc.

Quoted from SteffiMariner

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick, but why is everybody getting upset over this?

As far as I can see, a local newspaper had 1-2-1 access to the local football team manager for free. I would assume that this would increase there turnover so the club asked for a bit of sponsorship for this - in my eyes a financial decision as the newspaper are using the club to increase revenue so why shouldn't the club benefit from that, too?

In my opinion you are being a bit thick and talking bollox, never heard of journalists having to pay for access to a football manager.

I have been to quite a few after match press conferences at many clubs over the years and have never been asked to pay.

Unfortunately we have decisions like this from GTFC that makes the club a laughing stock.

This is clearly bonkers. Short-sighted. What idiot made this decision?

Does anything this club do really surprise you.

Quoted from friskneymariner

Does anything this club do really surprise you.

The flask ban was a bit of a shock but, other than that, no.

Tampons!

Quoted from MuddyWaters

The flask ban was a bit of a shock but, other than that, no.

I'm going to bring my coffee in a hot water bottle this season. Keep my legs warm until I drink it.  

The media has a duty to report the news, especially when there are a lot of people interested in a particular topic.

In other words, we should never be afraid to ask anyone in authority tough questions.

Let's remember that the club haven't said this, and we're reading between the lines, but *if* this boils down to Fenty being upset or worried about Nigel Lowther asking difficult questions then I really worry about his ability to run this football club properly.

This is a perfect example of the football club making a decision and not giving a second's thought to how this might be interpreted by the fans. We are secondary, and that's what bothers me most.

The fans are the lifeblood of the club. The club is nothing without us. But you'd never guess that by the way we're treated sometimes.

There are parallels here with the B teams fiasco as well. Sod the fans as long as we can pinch a few extra quid. After Op Promotion it felt like the club was closer to the local community than it had been for a long time. Unfortunately that seems to be unraveling.

It's plain daft at a time when the Club needs friends ahead of the new ground development.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Tampons!

Stick it up 'em that's what I say.

Weird !

Nigel is a lifelong Town fan, regular home and away down the years and in his former Telegraph life had the "on the touchline" feature for a few years in the early 90's with behind the scenes stories and supporter reviews etc generally supporting the club and supporters.

Will that be applying to all media outlets now ? If it isnt then the club should explain why just one local newspaper is singled out ?

Will the club only allow interviews with their own media team which will only be available on IFollow?

Quoted from moosey_club

Weird !

Nigel is a lifelong Town fan, regular home and away down the years and in his former Telegraph life had the "on the touchline" feature for a few years in the early 90's with behind the scenes stories and supporter reviews etc generally supporting the club and supporters.

Will that be applying to all media outlets now ? If it isnt then the club should explain why just one local newspaper is singled out ?

Will the club only allow interviews with their own media team which will only be available on IFollow?

I think the Telegraph do have some sort of 'sponsorship ' and are the clubs 'preferred media partner' but I think this decision is in response to NL's questions at the unveiling of RS and his previously stated opposition to Peaks Parkway?

Further proof that if you don't toe the club line then the toys really do come out the pram

Yet another own goal on behalf of the board!, The club need as much publicity as possible to try and keep interest going.

Club response.

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/club-statement--the-cleethorpes-chronicle/

Quoted from davmariner

Club response.

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/club-statement--the-cleethorpes-chronicle/

Quoted Text

      The Grimsby Telegraph and Radio Humberside do have one to one access at press conferences included in their broadcast/media sponsorship agreements. We have in the past had complaints about the Chronicle’s unrestricted and unmonitored access to the Manager.    

So all this is based on complaints from GET and RH? 'We pay for it so why shouldn't The Chronicle'.

Quoted from pizzzza

So all this is based on complaints from GET and RH? 'We pay for it so why shouldn't The Chronicle'.

It's balderdash from start to finish! JF's seemingly long running war with RH was because they didn't pay! Now we are back in the FL I suspect there may be a national agreement in place with the BBC???

Has anyone any idea about where the Chronicle has shared confidential e-mails on social media? I certainly haven't seen any, has anyone else?

The whole thing is petty and dictatorial and, IMO, reflects very poorly on GTFC

Quoted from davmariner

Club response.

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/club-statement--the-cleethorpes-chronicle/

Yep - the club (Mr Fenty!) has noted comments on social media (The Fishy Forum!).

I know I'll get a load of red crosses for this but I think the club's position is entirely reasonable.

its all about income streams for some people at gtfc ... I've an idea let's ask people to wear the mighty mariner costume and charge them fortunes for the priviledge on a match day . Why is it everything we do is handled poorly ? and it seems the club no the price of everything and the value of nothing, for a bit of balance I think lowther is a bit of mammary and if the others are paying so should he but it's just the way gtfc handle things

'we are under a duty to protect our revenue streams'.

Hmmmm, haven't I heard this somewhere before ????


The daft thing is, we all would love to see Town promoted.  But the higher up the pyramid we go, the more revenue from TV, Sponsorship, etc we receive.  Thus making the actual fans contribution less important.
With the promotion back to the league and the 'hopes' of the new stadium we were on a bit of a high. Seems to me like the club have let that slide.  Lets hope a good start to the season can kick things on again.

Quoted from LondonMariner43

I know I'll get a load of red crosses for this but I think the club's position is entirely reasonable.

I do, too. I also think the club response was good, mainly because it highlights what I thought so I wasn't being a bit thick.

If we get to the third round of the cup and draw Chelsea or Man Utd are we going to charge the national and international press to interview Slade in the days leading to the game?

Quoted from pizzzza

So all this is based on complaints from GET and RH? 'We pay for it so why shouldn't The Chronicle'.

IT would seem so, but then wouldn't you be a bit miffed if you'd paid sponsorship money and then someone comes along and gets the same access for free? Not unreasonable response from either them or the club

Always two sides to a story.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

its all about income streams for some people at gtfc ... I've an idea let's ask people to wear the mighty mariner costume and charge them fortunes for the priviledge on a match day . Why is it everything we do is handled poorly ? and it seems the club no the price of everything and the value of nothing, for a bit of balance I think lowther is a bit of mammary and if the others are paying so should he but it's just the way gtfc handle things

This

Another question is, how much "sponsorship" do the club want from the Chronicle compared to the other media outlets ?

For all we know it could be very reasonable and just a token gesture to keep the others happy ?

The club really can't win on this.

Half the time they are slated for being unprofessional and not commercially minded.

Then they are slated for being too formal and commercially minded.

RH and GET are the two biggest media outlets in the area and it would be naive to undermine the relationship with them just to allow one local newspaper a privileged position.  Ultimately this could damage the clubs coverage and revenue.

Ultimately the club protects its revenue streams in order to fund a strong playing squad and it should foster media relationships to help the fans know what is going on.  That seems like two good aims.

I'd expect any club or business to do exactly the same.

Quoted from LondonMariner43

The club really can't win on this.

Half the time they are slated for being unprofessional and not commercially minded.

Then they are slated for being too formal and commercially minded.

RH and GET are the two biggest media outlets in the area and it would be naive to undermine the relationship with them just to allow one local newspaper a privileged position.  Ultimately this could damage the clubs coverage and revenue.

Ultimately the club protects its revenue streams in order to fund a strong playing squad and it should foster media relationships to help the fans know what is going on.  That seems like two good aims.

I'd expect any club or business to do exactly the same.

I take it you will be attending all the Checkatrade games then, in order to fund a strong playing squad !!!!

Quoted from LondonMariner43

I know I'll get a load of red crosses for this but I think the club's position is entirely reasonable.

IF you believe the content of the statement then yes, it is

This is your classic '2 sides to every story '. When the Chronicle released their statements there was the inevitable knee-jerk reaction upon supporters that the club were 'out of order ' and that it's a disgrace that were forcing a small local newspaper for interview access.

The club then, IMO released a well drafted and balanced statement explaining their side that are trying to foster and maintain a level playing field. IMO I fully understand the club's position but they will undoubtedly come of this with their reputation tarnished unfairly. The club can do no right in the eyes of some but on this occasion I think they've acted very professionally and in the way any well-run 'business' would by protecting its current funding streams.

I would love to see half the folk on here running the club...

Quoted from Mariner93er

I would love to see half the folk on here running the club...

I'd love to see us all owning it.

This smacks of the work of one man. One man who should not be involved with this club after years of failure. Despite showing very little ability to learn from mistakes and a contempt for anyone that doesn't agree with the party line he still miraculously has some favourable support.

It's depressing to think only a miracle will remove this benign presence.

Admittedly at first I thought how harsh of the club, now I've read the club's view and let's be honest it seems very open and Honest and gives good reasons. For me the club aren't in the wrong, they have to respect all parties.

Have to say on this occasion I support the club on this matter after reading both sides statements on the issue.

What difficult question did Nigel Lowther ask when Slade was appointed? I think I missed that.

While I applaud the club's efforts to be consistent I still think the more newsflow about gtfc in the local community the better. Most interviews with players and managers are rather tame but you need something to fill the pages as there is only much you can write about weekly matches. Only committed supporters are going to subscripe to Mariners World and watch official interviews. People who attend games are still a tiny minority in the local community, there is a vast untapped audience out there somewhere.

As a successful businessman, I know the value of the coverage gtfc received from the chronicle, priceless. Access to the full back page and inside coverage would have costs thousands. To throw this away in an effort to get some token sponsorship is utter madness.   Fenty is running a sinking ship. With him at the helm it is finished.

I can't believe that statement has appeased the masses. I know which party I would trust to believe. It's also interesting that the Trust have chosen to canvass members on whether the trust rep should leave the board.

So basically the club have only withdrawn Nigel Lowther's privilege of being the only media organisation who get a one to one with Sladey. Why is that not fair??

Dont think that the "Clee Chronicle banned from speaking to Slade" headline was particuarly correct. That
is typical press headline stuff and unsurprisingly wasnt particuarly true. Mr Lowther knew what he was doing by throwing this out to social media with expected results. This arrangement is typical and exists with most clubs i believe. The fact that the club gave them some leeway as they were an independant venture and building readership shows some merit. But now if you want to be a big boy you pay big boy money. A sad event for both parties though.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

I can't believe that statement has appeased the masses. I know which party I would trust to believe..

THIS!

Quoted from lukeo

Admittedly at first I thought how harsh of the club, now I've read the club's view and let's be honest it seems very open and Honest and gives good reasons. For me the club aren't in the wrong, they have to respect all parties.

Really, you think the club should be asking for monies for media access?

What would your opinion be if the Government did this?

Let's not forget this isn't the first time GTFC has fallen out with the local media.

To those that say Fenty shouldn't be running the club, do you have funds to repay his loans and buy his equity?

He has always said he is happy to pass on the mantel.  

Maybe the statement would have more credence if the club hadn't got previous (flag/flask/tampons/Humberside/Devon etc.)

Quoted from LondonMariner43

To those that say Fenty shouldn't be running the club, do you have funds to repay his loans and buy his equity?

He has always said he is happy to pass on the mantel.  

So only cash rich multi millionaires are allowed to be critical??

Quoted from arryarryarry

Really, you think the club should be asking for monies for media access?

What would your opinion be if the Government did this?

Let's not forget this isn't the first time GTFC has fallen out with the local media.

The club is not asking money for media access, The Chronicle like Humberside and the ET still have FULL access to the team and Russel on The Thursday Press day and post match interviews where they can ask their questions along with everyone else, What the club have taken away is the WED one to one with Russel which other media outlets did not have the opportunity,

[quote=1558]To those that say Fenty shouldn't be running the club, do you have funds to repay his loans and buy his equity?

He has always said he is happy to pass on the mantel.  [/quote

He is happyOnly because he knows nobody will agree to pay him off.

If I had £10 million to invest I would not give Fenty £3 million of it to go away.

GTFC's very own "cash for questions" scandal.

Quoted from cleethorpes_mariner

The club is not asking money for media access, The Chronicle like Humberside and the ET still have FULL access to the team and Russel on The Thursday Press day and post match interviews where they can ask their questions along with everyone else, What the club have taken away is the WED one to one with Russel which other media outlets did not have the opportunity,

Interesting if true and as someone in JF's inner circle I believe you may be correct.

The question arises as to why this wasn't stated clearly in the club statement??

I suppose the chronicle is chronic. As I cover games for sports papers, as a photographer, I always seek media access. It is not difficult, and in fact I consider it a courtesy to do so. Most clubs provide this without question.

As for the reporter I often attend with, they are given access to the manager, with others that are there as well. When I have been in a 1-2-1 with manager, it is normally those who have sponsored access that are welcome. As far as I know, this rag has been around some years now, and should know the score. Instead of being difficult and a big girls blouse, perhaps it is time to wipe the bum fluff of his botty and place his bottom in the press box like others!

Roll on the new season when we can talk about some football and not something which is totally irrelevant and doesn't make any difference to us what so ever.

Just another excuse for you all to have a pop at the board.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ will never get boring will it.

Don't think i've ever seen a Cleethorpes Chronicle, never mind read one.

Quoted from Cloudy

Interesting if true and as someone in JF's inner circle I believe you may be correct.

The question arises as to why this wasn't stated clearly in the club statement??

I thought it was covered in the bit that says

The Chronicle will still have access to the pre and post match press conferences. It has been invited to the forthcoming press photo shoot and was invited to the press event at the launch of the excellent wall at the rear of the Pontoon stand which it did not attend.

Quoted from ginnywings

Don't think i've ever seen a Cleethorpes Chronicle, never mind read one.

Think I saw one cut into 6 inch squares and hanging on a piece of string in the St Peters Ave. toilet-good read for 20p to get in

Quoted from ginnywings

Don't think i've ever seen a Cleethorpes Chronicle, never mind read one.

It would be worth looking at a copy. It is all the GET used to be

Quoted from realist

It would be worth looking at a copy. It is all the GET used to be

I stopped buying papers some time ago. I'm not dissing the Chronicle at all but i can't ever recall seeing it anywhere.

Nothing to see here, move along.

thank god the season is starting next week.....

It might say they are looking to level the playing field, but the Club statement doesn't deny that the Club are asking for money for this 'privilege'. It still boils down to cash for questions/access. How much pigging money do we make out of this? Compared to the loss of free exposure and better public relations.

Short-sighted, Gradgrindian outlook prevails again.

[url]https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Gradgrindian[/url]

Every day's a school day.