Fans forum

A bit risky from the club or are they so far in cuku land they don't realise, here's your chance guys..

Spokes person from the fishy required to collate and feed all questions?

Quoted from H19P1

Spokes person from the fishy required to collate and feed all questions?

Got to be Grimsby Pete!

Mid December with humberside broadcasting it sounds better than gtfc putting their spin on it, live my bottom. 10
Minute delay and edited.

The more coverage the better

Will the questions have to be sent to the board before the fans forum or can we ask them on the day? If it is the latter then I will be there.

Do it on a Saturday for a better attendance. We’ve got a free one in two weeks time.

Quoted from Cambs Mariner

Will the questions have to be sent to the board before the fans forum or can we ask them on the day? If it is the latter then I will be there.

Firstly and foremost we must get an update on the present policy on flasks

Was this on the cards, or are the club getting concerned at the levels of criticism lately?

'Alternatively, if you think that the Fans' Forum should be held sooner rather than then later, please email us here. A sooner date would be broadcast live on the GTFC channels only.'

Something tells me it's going to be sooner rather than later.

Then fair play to GTFC.
Let’s see who is prepared to come out from behind the keyboard and front up. I will ensure I do.  I won’t be asking questions on anybody’s behalf. But I won’t refrain from asking questions the board may not like.  If the board (JF)  have got the guts to organise this then give them (him) some respect for that.

I would love to think that if they are prepared for this, they must have good news in store.  Let’s hope so.

How dare they call my bluff.

Sorry can’t make it

Quoted from TheRealJohnLewis

Got to be Grimsby Pete!

Stop dribbling

These events never turn out to be the fireworks you're expecting. There's usually someone droning on about flasks or locked fire escapes or staff in the club shop. If there are any pointed questions, they usually get batted away or sidestepped.

Ginnywings. This is the time.If we are allowed to ask the relevant questions and the board answer the questions truthfully then we might be in for a good day. There is definitely something in the air.

I hope so Cambs.

Will any of the so called keyboard warriors turn up? Doubt it.

Quoted from ginnywings

These events never turn out to be the fireworks you're expecting. There's usually someone droning on about flasks or locked fire escapes or staff in the club shop. If there are any pointed questions, they usually get batted away or sidestepped.

Yep.......JF will simply answer any questions like a politician and no one will get the opportunity to challenge the reply......damp squib.

I remember one of the forums was taken up almost exclusively by someone moaning about the opening and closing of a door to the bar, and another lady droning on about wanting fish and chips inside the ground and getting into an exchange with JF about the logistics of the seafood supply chain (which I think we can all concede is GYFR's undisputed specialist subject!)

I live in Surrey now so probably won't make it up, but hope those who do go can ask questions about the bigger issues related to football club governance and maybe to get JF to open up about his feelings and frustrations around the FL Trophy, what his biggest regret is, what his exit/sale strategy is and even if he just looks forward to the day when he can pass it all on to someone else and get back on the terraces without all the aggro.  

As much as he's a PR disaster and a flawed personality who people have found difficult to work with, I still get the feeling he's a passionate supporter with honest human frailties and wants the best for the club.  It would be great to see a few less combative questions that might coax some thoughts out of him.

Hope it's RH that get to chair this forum. Would be great to avoid questions about the colour of the ceiling in the Upper Findus sh1tter that seem to be the norm.

This is our chance to really let our feelings known  .

It's now or never fellow fishes.

Needs an overwhelming turn out does this more than ever. If it's a no show then we as fans will have eggs on our faces and will be evermore perceived as keyboard warriors.

You don't have to be public speakers I'm sure but a show in numbers sends the right message.

Hopefully it's a structured meeting where all the key questions are asked, maybe we as fishy members really do need a list of pre thought out questions and be printed off for each member who's going a prompt sheet? The answers can then be fed back into this forum as separate threads so we can discuss each topic individually.

Quoted from promotion plaice

Yep.......JF will simply answer any questions like a politician and no one will get the opportunity to challenge the reply......damp squib.

That's exactly what the club want/expect.

Up to you to give them the ride they deserve in a clear concise and polite manner

At least they'll be no need for the usual question about Shaun Pearson going in goal anymore.

If I lived closer I'd turn up 100%. If I'm not at work when the forum is on I'll tune in whatever way possible, if it allows me to send in questions or 'debates' the main things for me are :
Why is Our style of play so bad
Why the club isn't pulling together with fans (Stevenage for example)
What's the latest around loans, potential buyers etcetc

These are always booked so they’re the least convenient for everyone to attend. I don’t think this one will be any different but the club have surprised me before.

Think some credit needs to go to the club for arranging this.

Lots of issues lately and fans deserve some explanations.

Good to see radio humberside involved too.

A opportunity  to clear the air and bring supporters and the club closer together.

Oh I love these things. Brings out all the local weirdos who like to ramble on about stuff nobody really cares about. Get ready for no relevant issues to be discussed.

Depends on the date really. Would happily go and be prepared to ask questions.

Tough questions would be more powerful coming from disaffected season ticket holders - if I stopped going to BP it wouldn't scratch the surface.

We need a lot of bodies there to get the message across but it needs to be constructive and we need answers (good luck with getting any). I like most fans could probably fill the time up with serious questions I want answering.

Why was the Promotion side/Management team allowed to break up and why were proper contracts not offered to key players with real performance related pay?

The ST sales push for 2016-2017 where was it and are you not suitably embarrassed by Lincoln`s efforts?

As above Ref shift workers issue when are you going to properly look at this to further ticket sales?

What NEW idea`s do GTFC intend coming up with to boost support for 2018 onwards and why do they not get the Trust involved ?

Manager choices seem bizarre can you explain what due diligence went in to appointing MB and how he was deemed best available candidate? That choice having been made why did he become surplus to requirements what was his remit? RS a very divisive choice and now due to the brand of football dropping gates but with a comparable points total to last year when are you getting rid?

The fans/Trust drove OP and it was a great success did that embarrass you and your own efforts previously to try and gain promotion?

Following the above the Club seem to have left the fans out in the cold and seem to be copping a deaf un checkatrade,ticketing shambles,bra gate,club statements

What EXACTLY is a benign loan in layman`s terms what does it mean and also why can`t you convert this to shares?

If the Clubs fans wanted to take the Club over would you be willing to help by selling the Club for a nominal fee and or spell out what they needed to do?

Would you be willing to give the MP shares back to the Trust?

Are you happy with the football on offer in terms of style and entertainment?

What do you want/expect to see from a Grimsby Town team?

How much money do we have available for players in January if you can`t specify a figure for obvious reasons can fans expect enough money in the pot to be able to finance 2-3 players of league 1 quality?

If you wish to carry on as custodian of this Club what message do you have to the fans of this Club and why should they support you going forward?

To those who want you to go and say they have seen 15 years of failure on your watch how do you win them back?  

Quoted from ginnywings

These events never turn out to be the fireworks you're expecting. There's usually someone droning on about flasks or locked fire escapes or staff in the club shop. If there are any pointed questions, they usually get batted away or sidestepped.

oi! the position on flasks is important

i'd like someone to ask jf what they're going to do about the continued bullying of thousands of town fans into not attending checkatrade matches

My questions that, as I live more than 1000 miles away, I'll be sending in..

Benign and football fortune are words that do not sufficiently define the impact of your director's loan on the club and for potential investors. Could you be more definitive in what is meant? Wouldn't it be more honourable to convert them into shares like every other investor?

It is written in the club accounts that you are in effect in control of the club. After fifteen years of poor performances on the pitch, three relegations, six years of non-league, not a single season above tier four that didn't end in relegation, non delivery of a new stadium and lack of ability to attract new investment, wouldn't you have got the sack by now if it was an accountable paid position and how can you think that you are the best person to run the football club with this record?

Who is in charge of your PR and marketing? Who has the final say on output and why are they still in their job?

Bragate, why no comment?

Checkatrade, do you really think that fans were bullied into not going to matches? If so, what proof have you got as bullying is a strong word to use on your fanbase?

Checkatrade, why not vote against the competition and still take the money on offer? Surely that would be even better financially for the club as it would have brought you closer to the fans and earned their respect.

Your brother has stated that you have looked all around the world for investment. What marketing methods have you used and is that offer open to anyone even if it meant losing your controlling interest or is it just investment for the new stadium project?

New stadium, how and when?

What is the playing side philosophy of the club?

Most clubs market their season tickets before the end of the season, why do we leave our marketing to the last minute and why are there no new ideas of how to incentivise them after 15 years in charge?

How long do you want to remain in your position?

Shouldn't there be a minimum catering standard for the fans? Was the standard checked before handing out the contract and should it be better than it is?

Could you publicly put your controlling interest up for sale as a package and see what happens?


I'm guessing if results and performances continue as they are that RS is going to be the stooge that's going to take all of the flak and deflect attention away from the bigger picture..

Guys do you not think they already know what the questions are going to be? they read the fishy and will be perfectly able to get the answers ready in advance.
Dictatorships know how to rule and know how to dampen the fires of unrest, we will all be here aain in a year doing the same old.
A complete boycot with a fans letter to the telegraph and a petition would create much more pressure.

Quoted from monkeyboy

Guys do you not think they already know what the questions are going to be? they read the fishy and will be perfectly able to get the answers ready in advance.
Dictatorships know how to rule and know how to dampen the fires of unrest, we will all be here aain in a year doing the same old.
A complete boycot with a fans letter to the telegraph and a petition would create much more pressure.

The trouble is with a boycott if you are on about games rather than the forum is the players and Management despite not being very good haven`t done anything wrong and we want to support them.The Trust need to come out the shadows and start either backing the current regime or call for some sort of change of direction on/off the pitch and they can do this publicly or privately by canvassing there members.The fans forum is a waste of time going on past experiences unless those present are prepared to listen.

Once again another PR gaff from Fenty,

He will not answer the important questions because he is in control and will answer only the questions he wants to answer.

He said I have been rude well I have not called him any rude names unlike a person who hardly posts on here called me a    egoistic girl private  in a pm but I have not complained or named him.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

The trouble is with a boycott if you are on about games rather than the forum is the players and Management despite not being very good haven`t done anything wrong and we want to support them.The Trust need to come out the shadows and start either backing the current regime or call for some sort of change of direction on/off the pitch and they can do this publicly or privately by canvassing there members.The fans forum is a waste of time going on past experiences unless those present are prepared to listen.

It was the fans forum i was talking about, pointless imo, people may say its our chance to get our point across but its futile.

Quoted from Bigdog

My questions that, as I live more than 1000 miles away, I'll be sending in..

Benign and football fortune are words that do not sufficiently define the impact of your director's loan on the club and for potential investors. Could you be more definitive in what is meant? Wouldn't it be more honourable to convert them into shares like every other investor?

It is written in the club accounts that you are in effect in control of the club. After fifteen years of poor performances on the pitch, three relegations, six years of non-league, not a single season above tier four that didn't end in relegation, non delivery of a new stadium and lack of ability to attract new investment, wouldn't you have got the sack by now if it was an accountable paid position and how can you think that you are the best person to run the football club with this record?

Who is in charge of your PR and marketing? Who has the final say on output and why are they still in their job?

Bragate, why no comment?

Checkatrade, do you really think that fans were bullied into not going to matches? If so, what proof have you got as bullying is a strong word to use on your fanbase?

Checkatrade, why not vote against the competition and still take the money on offer? Surely that would be even better financially for the club as it would have brought you closer to the fans and earned their respect.

Your brother has stated that you have looked all around the world for investment. What marketing methods have you used and is that offer open to anyone even if it meant losing your controlling interest or is it just investment for the new stadium project?

New stadium, how and when?

What is the playing side philosophy of the club?

Most clubs market their season tickets before the end of the season, why do we leave our marketing to the last minute and why are there no new ideas of how to incentivise them after 15 years in charge?

How long do you want to remain in your position?

Shouldn't there be a minimum catering standard for the fans? Was the standard checked before handing out the contract and should it be better than it is?

Could you publicly put your controlling interest up for sale as a package and see what happens?


I'm guessing if results and performances continue as they are that RS is going to be the stooge that's going to take all of the flak and deflect attention away from the bigger picture..

Great post.

getyourfactsright you read this forum so be a man and answer the questions.

Quoted from TheRealJohnLewis

Got to be Grimsby Pete!

He cant be bothered to come for the games so doubt he will come for the forum!

Quoted from TAGG

Great post.

getyourfactsright you read this forum so be a man and answer the questions.

I am sure he will, at the fans forum!

Another anticlimax to look forward to then, more fireworks at a ramblers meeting.

Canny move by JF. It's "put up or shut up time" for all those having a go at him and GTFC. What is betting the critics will head for hills.

Quoted from oldun

What is betting the critics will head for hills.

I think you may be right, unfortunately it will be at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon

Quoted from Kris2

Oh I love these things. Brings out all the local weirdos who like to ramble on about stuff nobody really cares about. Get ready for no relevant issues to be discussed.

Typical! I`m one of the local weirdos that attend every forum, yes some questions asked are a little strange but most times the questions are relevant to those asked on this forum, I myself have always had a fair answer to my questions from Hurst, Scott and Fenty.

My advice to you is to attend yourself and ask your relevant questions, but my betting is you won`t

Quoted from Fishy_fishtails

He cant be bothered to come for the games so doubt he will come for the forum!

I have been waiting to go into hospital for a new knee which  I have now been told it will be in a couple of weeks time,

So I will be attending in the new year you already know that because I told you it before,

BUT

You tell me why the only time you come on here is to stick up for Fenty you never take part in any other threads,


If you are going to the forum you could ask a few questions for me if you like..

OR

Are you going just to lick his bum ?

Quoted from grimsby pete

I have been waiting to go into hospital for a new knee which  I have now been told it will be in a couple of weeks time,

So I will be attending in the new year you already know that because I told you it before,

BUT

You tell me why the only time you come on here is to stick up for Fenty you never take part in any other threads,


If you are going to the forum you could ask a few questions for me if you like..

OR

Are you going just to lick his bum ?

Freedom of speech grimsbypete, I can comment when and how I like and when I see fit to do so, and as it happens the time that I have free to respond or come on here has coincidently been on a JF bashing thread.
And why on earth would I want to ask questions for you? We are clearly at different ends of the scales when it comes to JF and I don't feel it necessary to even attempt to reply to the last part.

Quoted from Fishy_fishtails

Freedom of speech grimsbypete, I can comment when and how I like and when I see fit to do so, and as it happens the time that I have free to respond or come on here has coincidently been on a JF bashing thread.
And why on earth would I want to ask questions for you? We are clearly at different ends of the scales when it comes to JF and I don't feel it necessary to even attempt to reply to the last part.

Answer me this then why did you say I do not bother to attend games when you know I have been unable to attend because I am waiting for an operation, I did attend the Wigan game but climbing the stairs was far too painful then its even worse now,

BUT

I bet if you was on one leg and living in Suffolk you would have dragged yourself to every game.

Quoted from Kris2

Oh I love these things. Brings out all the local weirdos who like to ramble on about stuff nobody really cares about. Get ready for no relevant issues to be discussed.

I'm not sure what more the club can do other than invite people to attend. Having attended the last half dozen of these events often at a time when things haven't been going well we've been desperate for someone to table a question to stimulate debate. The one sure way to prevent local "weirdos"  (unnecessarily derogatory by the way "We're all Town aren't we?") from hogging the floor is to go and ask your questions. Many of the questions on here are relevant and very well put together but have to be asked in the forum environment to elicit the response they may well deserve. Obviously some people are unable to att3nd due to their exile status but I simply refuse to believe that none of those who've been vocal on here are not local. The best way to avoid the keyboard warrior tag is to do the arguments justice in open debate.

Quoted from grimsby pete

Answer me this then why did you say I do not bother to attend games when you know I have been unable to attend because I am waiting for an operation, I did attend the Wigan game but climbing the stairs was far too painful then its even worse now,

BUT

I bet if you was on one leg and living in Suffolk you would have dragged yourself to every game.

Not responding to that grimsbypete but as for the painful knee you have my full sympathy, have you tried a tens machine specifically for the knee? They had some in Aldi not long ago.

Quoted from Fishy_fishtails

Not responding to that grimsbypete but as for the painful knee you have my full sympathy, have you tried a tens machine specifically for the knee? They had some in Aldi not long ago.

I have tried a lot of things to no avail mate but there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

You still did not answer my first question though about repeating I am not bothered to attend games.

Are you sure you are not John ?

Quoted from barralad

I'm not sure what more the club can do other than invite people to attend. Having attended the last half dozen of these events often at a time when things haven't been going well we've been desperate for someone to table a question to stimulate debate. The one sure way to prevent local "weirdos"  (unnecessarily derogatory by the way "We're all Town aren't we?") from hogging the floor is to go and ask your questions. Many of the questions on here are relevant and very well put together but have to be asked in the forum environment to elicit the response they may well deserve. Obviously some people are unable to att3nd due to their exile status but I simply refuse to believe that none of those who've been vocal on here are not local. The best way to avoid the keyboard warrior tag is to do the arguments justice in open debate.

Whilst I have some empathy with the sentiment Barra, it hardly helps when Mr Fenty is offering 'to go 10 rounds with anyone'.

Quoted from grimsby pete

I have tried a lot of things to no avail mate but there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

You still did not answer my first question though about repeating I am not bothered to attend games.

Are you sure you are not John ?

100% sure I am not JF!
And I said I wouldn't answer that

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Whilst I have some empathy with the sentiment Barra, it hardly helps when Mr Fenty is offering 'to go 10 rounds with anyone'.

I honestly thought you would recognise a figure of speech for what it clearly is...

Quoted from barralad

I honestly thought you would recognise a figure of speech for what it clearly is...

Figure of speech or not, it's inflammatory and divisive. Not the behaviour of a professional and someone who is a fit and proper football club owner.

Quoted from barralad

I honestly thought you would recognise a figure of speech for what it clearly is...

I'm fed up with 'figures of speeches' and, if I'm honest I'm fed up with the way Grimsby Town Football Club is run. If I didn't take my lads with me, I would readily tear my season ticket up and sit at home. Today is just a further example of a one-man mission to cling on to a notion that one day things will improve. No plan, not a single consideration for the fans or even a jot of respect.

Quoted from grimsby pete

I have tried a lot of things to no avail mate but there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

You still did not answer my first question though about repeating I am not bothered to attend games.

Are you sure you are not John ?

Ignore him Pete he's just a stirringshit

Main thing is are you going to be fit for Colchester in January?

Don't get there too early mate, with that new knee and Town's total inability to score goals, you might get a game (unless the Fenty has put the knife in for you with Slade - assuming Slade is still picking the team in January)

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I'm fed up with 'figures of speeches' and, if I'm honest I'm fed up with the way Grimsby Town Football Club is run. If I didn't take my lads with me, I would readily tear my season ticket up and sit at home. Today is just a further example of a one-man mission to cling on to a notion that one day things will improve. No plan, not a single consideration for the fans or even a jot of respect.

Yeah I get that but as someone who is perfectly capable of putting forward a sensible argument are you going to tackle JF in the best place possible i.e. at a live broadcast fans forum or appear to be a keyboard warrior. At the very least it gets frustrations out in the open and provides the opportunity to clear some very stale air...

I've never been to one of these. Is it just show up to the door and they let you in? Do have to have a ticket or anything?

Quoted from barralad

Yeah I get that but as someone who is perfectly capable of putting forward a sensible argument are you going to tackle JF in the best place possible i.e. at a live broadcast fans forum or appear to be a keyboard warrior. At the very least it gets frustrations out in the open and provides the opportunity to clear some very stale air...

Afraid am in Oz otherwise would loved to have been there.

Will there be an independent chair of the meeting who will ensure it runs smoothly and will hold JF to account?

If questions are sent from afar to the meeting will they be read out? Am more than happy to append my full name and address to any such question for transparency's sake.

Am with others here though as well as to the date of said meeting. Holding it on any midweek night will ultimately decimate any potential attendance, and I think JF is probably aware of that - hence the offer of such a meeting so he can appear to be responding to fan's concerns knowing full well a lot of wannabe attendees simply can not make it. Have it on  a Saturday prior to a home game so all the exiles who wish to attend can, and let's face it, they probably contribute more to the club's coffers than most folk so should be able to have their voices heard.

Quoted from Ipswin

Ignore him Pete he's just a stirringshit

Main thing is are you going to be fit for Colchester in January?

Don't get there too early mate, with that new knee and Town's total inability to score goals, you might get a game (unless the Fenty hasn't put the knife in for you with Slade - assuming Slade is still picking the team in January)

Will you be sitting with us poor people Swin or are you in the executive suite again ?

Quoted from barralad

Yeah I get that but as someone who is perfectly capable of putting forward a sensible argument are you going to tackle JF in the best place possible i.e. at a live broadcast fans forum or appear to be a keyboard warrior. At the very least it gets frustrations out in the open and provides the opportunity to clear some very stale air...

Ian why should we have to ask what is the length of Slade's contract ?

Or why did you not come to the defence of fans at Stevenage ?

He should have made a statement so we did not need to ask the questions.

He comes on here and makes things 10 times worse for himself.

If he had told us in the first place most of this latest Fenty bashing would not have happened.

"Mr Fenty, I have been a Town fan for 55 years. I have always travelled to games as an exile.   My father started going to games in the early 1930s.  

You have always tried to do the very best for the Club over many years.  However,  the relationship with many fans has now become strained, probably beyond repair.  I also think that the club is stale and in need of new leadership, energy and fresh ideas.  

Have you thought of actively seeking to relinquish power and control?  And devising  an exit strategy for yourself?  Where there is a will there is always a way.

If not, then I think that this is what you should be doing sooner rather than later. In my view this is In the long-term interests of the club, something that you hold so dear".

Quoted from jock dock tower

Afraid am in Oz otherwise would loved to have been there.

Will there be an independent chair of the meeting who will ensure it runs smoothly and will hold JF to account?

If questions are sent from afar to the meeting will they be read out? Am more than happy to append my full name and address to any such question for transparency's sake.

Am with others here though as well as to the date of said meeting. Holding it on any midweek night will ultimately decimate any potential attendance, and I think JF is probably aware of that - hence the offer of such a meeting so he can appear to be responding to fan's concerns knowing full well a lot of wannabe attendees simply can not make it. Have it on  a Saturday prior to a home game so all the exiles who wish to attend can, and let's face it, they probably contribute more to the club's coffers than most folk so should be able to have their voices heard.

A valid argument mate. I would point out though that the Trust open meeting was arranged on a Saturday for exactly that reason and the attendance was very disappointing. I'm not saying that people's issues with the Trust were as deep as these seem to be but there is a wealth of difference between being sufficiently bothered to attend in person and being quite happy to sit behind a keyboard. I've not witnessed this apparent depth of feeling since I joined this forum in 2009. If people genuinely want change it simply has to manifest itself in a much better attendance than any I've been to. I've been to about six such events since the Trust reformed and there has been no evidence of JF controlling the agenda/meeting. As I've said it has been the lack of numbers that have reduced them as a spectacle. Were it not for questions about flasks etc. at least a couple of forums would've been over very quickly.

Must agree, the questions at the forums are not managed. Anyone can put questions to anyone sitting at the table. It is time for change, John has been in charge / Chairman / Majority shareholder for a long time now, and it has been the darkest period in our history. Forget all the nonsense, I've met John once or twice and he has been very approachable and has a sense of humour you don't often see when he is in full 'suit' mode.

For me, it comes down to what happens on the pitch. John has presided over our relegation out of the football league, utterly unthinkable and I can still barely believe we spent so long in the abyss. I can see the same mistakes being made again, a club of our size doesn't get relegated from the entire league unless it is badly run. I haven't seen anything to suggest lessons have been learned, quite the opposite. Our stature as a club has shrunk, we don't seem to do much right on or off the pitch.

Without malice, I do think it's time for a change, time for someone else to have a go.  

Quoted from grimsby pete

Will you be sitting with us poor people Swin or are you in the executive suite again ?

I'll be with you dossers Pete .

My friend the Colchester ST holder who got me in the up market bit last season (with your mate Fenty) sadly passed away in the Summer (I think you met him at Cambridge) so I'm with the bra-less shell suited East Marsh mob (and you of course mate)

Quoted from grimsby pete

Ian why should we have to ask what is the length of Slade's contract ?

Or why did you not come to the defence of fans at Stevenage ?

He should have made a statement so we did not need to ask the questions.

He comes on here and makes things 10 times worse for himself.

If he had told us in the first place most of this latest Fenty bashing would not have happened.

And for me therein lies the problem. Different people want to know different things. Personally I have no interest in knowing how long Slade's contract is because a. I actually think that should be private between Russ and the club board and b. I support whoever is manager of GTFC for as long as they are in post. Let's face it how many managers anywhere actually see out their contract?

Quoted from 75

Without malice, I do think it's time for a change, time for someone else to have a go.  

In the board room as principal shareholder (and Chairman) or in the manager's office?

Quoted from Ipswin

In the board room as principal shareholder (and Chairman) or in the manager's office?

Both.

Quoted from barralad

And for me therein lies the problem. Different people want to know different things. Personally I have no interest in knowing how long Slade's contract is because a. I actually think that should be private between Russ and the club board and b. I support whoever is manager of GTFC for as long as they are in post. Let's face it how many managers anywhere actually see out their contract?

You might not need to know Ian but most fans do,

At other clubs in this country how many fans do not know how many years their manager is on, ?

This is more relevant to us because Fenty came out and said a 6 month rolling contract is the future not so long age,

So why the no mention on Slade is he on the same or a 3 or4 year deal ?

Quoted from barralad

A valid argument mate. I would point out though that the Trust open meeting was arranged on a Saturday for exactly that reason and the attendance was very disappointing. I'm not saying that people's issues with the Trust were as deep as these seem to be but there is a wealth of difference between being sufficiently bothered to attend in person and being quite happy to sit behind a keyboard. I've not witnessed this apparent depth of feeling since I joined this forum in 2009. If people genuinely want change it simply has to manifest itself in a much better attendance than any I've been to. I've been to about six such events since the Trust reformed and there has been no evidence of JF controlling the agenda/meeting. As I've said it has been the lack of numbers that have reduced them as a spectacle. Were it not for questions about flasks etc. at least a couple of forums would've been over very quickly.

I'll draft a question and pm it to you Ian?

If I get stuck due to work, I cover most of Lincolnshire including over to Thorne - Mansfield so could I ring in.

Quoted from 75

Must agree, the questions at the forums are not managed. Anyone can put questions to anyone sitting at the table. It is time for change, John has been in charge / Chairman / Majority shareholder for a long time now, and it has been the darkest period in our history. Forget all the nonsense, I've met John once or twice and he has been very approachable and has a sense of humour you don't often see when he is in full 'suit' mode.

For me, it comes down to what happens on the pitch. John has presided over our relegation out of the football league, utterly unthinkable and I can still barely believe we spent so long in the abyss. I can see the same mistakes being made again, a club of our size doesn't get relegated from the entire league unless it is badly run. I haven't seen anything to suggest lessons have been learned, quite the opposite. Our stature as a club has shrunk, we don't seem to do much right on or off the pitch.

Without malice, I do think it's time for a change, time for someone else to have a go.  

I have to say that's a pretty coherent argument. However there's some old sayings which IMHO still ring true - the grass isn't always greener on the other side, better the devil you know and be careful what you wish for. The problem is that jf is a fan probably first and foremost ,and I tend to think he gets all emotional and loses his business touch when it come to gtfc. I'd far rather have an emotionally committed non chairman than what we have at forest, Blackpool, Chester in the old days etc again IMHO my advice to jf would be to try and run things at arms length rather than and try to be the 'supreme leader' . It is sometimes better to let young guns have their day, but to guide and maybe restrain them.  As I get older and come to reliquinish control of the business I've been in charge of for 25 years so I've come round to this way of thinking. Us old uns might not like it but everything changes all the time and the secret of success is to embrace those changes . I suspect jf hasn't accepted all those changes; the shame is when we had the lad doing the social media with Lloyd n the shop we were breaking the mould but the momentum has been lost. Those videos ,perversely, made me feel incredibly proud to be a town fan, which is all testament to that team