Matt Dean

Worth a thread of its own. On behalf of anyone reasonable associated with GTFC, I apologise for the behaviour of our majority shareholder and manager at the fans forum. Right or wrongs of what when on aside, that sort of behaviour is embarrassing. If only those at the club were just as outraged at female fans having their bras searched...

It's the fans that are the bullies though...

Got to add to that the fans who got on his back as well.

Quoted from davmariner

Worth a thread of its own. On behalf of anyone reasonable associated with GTFC, I apologise for the behaviour of our majority shareholder and manager at the fans forum. Right or wrongs of what when on aside, that sort of behaviour is embarrassing. If only those at the club were just as outraged at female fans having their bras searched...

Agreed, this was more than likely set up, Fenty complaining of bullying then opened the floodgates for Matt to get dogs abuse from some daft bint and a stupid Yorkie who has been going to Town games in a dogs watch.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Got to add to that the fans who got on his back as well.

Apologies, completely agree!

That gobshite bloke in the audience, the snotty woman at the front who just agreed with everything the board said, and mr Fenty should be ashamed of the way they have acted towards Matt, and to an extent Slade as well. Disgusting

Quoted from davmariner

Worth a thread of its own. On behalf of anyone reasonable associated with GTFC, I apologise for the behaviour of our majority shareholder and manager at the fans forum. Right or wrongs of what when on aside, that sort of behaviour is embarrassing. If only those at the club were just as outraged at female fans having their bras searched...

Equally as embarrassing as the "supporter" who told him he's been a sh1t journalist for 15 years, the only sensible thing said all night was that we all need to pull together if we are to move on.

A complete setup. Odd how the pro-Fenny gobshites began in unison,  tearing into Dean as a cue for Fenny to stand and give his sermon to all present.
Apologies to Matt, part of my love for my club has died this last fortnight, what a despicable bullying bunch of amateurs.
Ashamed.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Got to add to that the fans who got on his back as well.

Believe me it was not "The Fans". It was three individuals all sat together who had been sneering and voicing disapproval at any questions remotely critical of the board. It was embarrassing to hear and see, together with Fenty's and Slade’s reaction. Matt didn’t stand a chance sat where he was. Credit to Philip Day who backed Matt and appeared to be the only board member present (with the exception of the Trust representative) who was calm, collected and professional.

I am actually in shock about it, it reminded me of,
Oh whats that word? When a group of people are picking on one, hmmmmmmm oh yeah BULLIES. Matt should hold his head high that he did not lose his cool about it. Im disgusted with the club tonight

I'm still stunned by the disgraceful scenes I've just witnessed..

I've never been more ashamed of the club than I am tonight..

Keep doing a great job and well done for keeping your dignity Matt..

Can’t stop thinking that this whole sorry episode was a complete set up. It was like a pack of dogs rounding on an individual. If that’s not bullying, then I don’t know what is? Disgracefull!

Fair play to Matt Dean tonight. At least he came across professional and well mannered unlike some people of the board. The fans forum tonight was probably intended to bring the club together but at this momeant in time I don't think I've seen it ever so divided. The first part of the heeling process in my opinion would be for Mr Slade and Mr Fenty to make a public apology to Matt Dean for the way he was targeted tonight. It's not a dig at any one at the club, it's just a common principle of having some decency and respect for someone doing there job.

It wasn't handled well at all and should've been cleared up at the start with a simple apology from both sides although to be fair Matt was only doing his job and the club appear to have the pr skills of a gnat. Who was the guy in the audience calling him excrement ,was watching on you tube and that wasn't good.

Fenty's cracking he can't take it any more, this is because he can't control or censorship the fishy as he would like especially those two vile posters Pete and swin sish, never never never, ever give you up or let you down, run around and hurt me, Fenty's just been Rick rolled  

And marley can sod off too. Patronising arrogant git. Rather have Jacob

Quoted from Grim up north

It wasn't handled well at all and should've been cleared up at the start with a simple apology from both sides although to be fair Matt was only doing his job and the club appear to have the pr skills of a gnat. Who was the guy in the audience calling him excrement ,was watching on you tube and that wasn't good.

And the 'woman'. You know that you can't have a civilised debate with someone when they start either shouting or swearing and that's what they both resorted to tonight. Very strategically placed as well...

Did say there would be strategically placed Fentinistas, all fans are equal but some fans more equal than others.

I have just watched the last 20 minutes or so. How could such an innocuous story, or alleged story get them so rattled? Especially Slade - what on earth was that all about. I am not holding it against Slade as I hope it was a one off and still believe he is our best hope in the immediate future.

As for Fenty, he seems to be really suffering. I hope he can find someone to take the club on before too long, not that I am holding my breath.

There is a phrase that i just can't get out of my head..................Too broke to fix.

Quoted from Grim up north

It wasn't handled well at all and should've been cleared up at the start with a simple apology from both sides although to be fair Matt was only doing his job and the club appear to have the pr skills of a gnat. Who was the guy in the audience calling him excrement ,was watching on you tube and that wasn't good.

The guy was sat just to the left of me. He was six pints brave.
But even more embarrassing, he was drinking Fosters 😢

noticed Dean still didn't offer an apology he could of nipped it in the bud if he'd just stood up and offered his apologies to the manager board and fans. I don't blame Slade one bit for having a go I know I would have done exactly the same, end of the day no matter what Dean was told the cold hard facts of the matter are that his tweet absolutely wrong, fake news.

I don't care if what Matt Dean tweeted was right or wrong, but for Slade to start shouting at a local journalist, and recounting what an ex-manager said about him (IMO unfairly) in not being trustworthy, across a panel at a fans forum, was ridiculous.

Quoted from Grim74

noticed Dean still didn't offer an apology he could of nipped it in the bud if he'd just stood up and offered his apologies to the manager board and fans. I don't blame Slade one bit for having a go I know I would have done exactly the same, end of the day no matter what Dean was told the cold hard facts of the matter are that his tweet absolutely wrong, fake news.

Did you not listen to Matt explaining that he had been in an interview with the director to his left. Fenty didn't know about the interview and as Marley wouldn't reveal his contact who wouldn't join the board because they were scared of abuse is ok but Matt has to reveal his source. Double standards from the club and those who support this bullying regime.

Well, my guess is that the BBC wont be so keen in the future to let us use their equipment to broadcast fans forums.

Towards the end it got to the state of car crash television, Matt looked a little shell shocked and would have been better to have just turned off the live feed rather than all embarrassing themselves.  

Tonight was set out in all good intentions but the only thing we will remember is the farce it became.

Quoted from davmariner

I don't care if what Matt Dean tweeted was right or wrong, but for Slade to start shouting at a local journalist, and recounting what an ex-manager said about him (IMO unfairly) in not being trustworthy, across a panel at a fans forum, was ridiculous.

Its called having some passion in the heat of the moment and its great to see in these snowflake times that we live in. Dean will learn from this he carries a lot of responsibility in his position any top journo would make sure they had their facts correct, that tweet could of been very damaging to the team/management.

Appeared to be very Putinesque (even down to style of dress) to me perhaps preparing us  for buy out by Russian oligarch.

Those three people near the front who rounded on Matt Dean were embarrassing. The woman also covered herself in glory by telling another fan she was talking out of her bottom. I thought by and large the ‘anti-Febtinistas’ were not vile, but those 3 were.

Quoted from Marinerz93

Did you not listen to Matt explaining that he had been in an interview with the director to his left. Fenty didn't know about the interview and as Marley wouldn't reveal his contact who wouldn't join the board because they were scared of abuse is ok but Matt has to reveal his source. Double standards from the club and those who support this bullying regime.

Dean didn't even reveal his source intentionally anyway just goes to show that he still has a lot to learn, as a good journo would never reveal their source intentionally or unintentionally.

Quoted from Grim74

Its called having some passion in the heat of the moment and its great to see in these snowflake times that we live in. Dean will learn from this he carries a lot of responsibility in his position any top journo would make sure they had their facts correct, that tweet could of been very damaging to the team/management.

No it's not. It's called being aggressive over something so insignificant. A professional person would have kept it together and calmly said "it didn't help in our preparations and was certainly a distraction. But our lads are focused on what goes on, on the football pitch and don't take any notice of speculation. Matt got it wrong this time, but we're only human and from time to time, people do get it wrong." End of discussion.

Club's statement at the time re. Woodhouse: 'It has come to GTFC's attention that there has been speculation that a first team coach is set to join the football club. The club can confirm that this is not the case, no discussions have taken place and the manager at this moment has no intention of adding to his coaching staff.' *END OF STATEMENT*

Plus, the destabilising factor came from GTFC's response. Not from MD's tweet.

Quoted from davmariner

No it's not. It's called being aggressive over something so insignificant. A professional person would have kept it together and calmly said "it didn't help in our preparations and was certainly a distraction. But our lads are focused on what goes on, on the football pitch and don't take any notice of speculation. Matt got it wrong this time, but we're only human and from time to time, people do get it wrong." End of discussion.

Yes that's right I can just see Alex Fergusson now responding in that very together and calm manner under the same circumstances, and he's not professional is he
Get a grip man their football managers not flipping barristers.

Quoted from Grim74

Yes that's right I can just see Alex Fergusson now responding in that very together and calm manner under the same circumstances, and he's not professional is he
Get a grip man their football managers not flipping barristers.

Being Alex Ferguson is one thing. Being Russell Slade is another.

That last 20minutes just about summed the club up at the moment.

Quoted from TAGG

That last 20minutes just about summed the club up at the moment.

It was informative up until the chaos kicked in

Absolutely cringeworthy. That sort of utter stupidity is why the board get half the abuse they do. They talk about sticking together but just do the complete opposite and make things worse every single time.

I’ve just watched the entire excrement-show back. What an absolute mess our club is in that we have to call a “fans forum” and have the panel wait 2.5 (long, long) hours to wade in on a local journalist who has clearly had some duff (or was it?) information. The club’s main broadcast partner too. The ’other’ board members on show tonight barring Mr Wood are an absolute disgrace.

Mr Day going on about facts - except his facts were skewed as the FL bent the rules on how a vote on the Checkatrade could be passed.

Mr Marley - I thought my accountant talked shite. Christ almighty - do one - will yer - you self important get?

It’s almost enough to make you wish we did have a questionable foreign owner really.

Quoted from Grim74

noticed Dean still didn't offer an apology he could of nipped it in the bud if he'd just stood up and offered his apologies to the manager board and fans. I don't blame Slade one bit for having a go I know I would have done exactly the same, end of the day no matter what Dean was told the cold hard facts of the matter are that his tweet absolutely wrong, fake news.

Journalists work in a constantly evolving workplace, they're very good at smoothing out inevitable mistakes and half-truths that come about in their environment. Matt Dean and the BBC staff working with him will be horrified at what happened last night, to watch an entire board of business professionals melt down over a Tweet while so many much more important issues were glossed over and ignored.
Fenty, Slade and co were the ones sat at the table with issues to address, not Matt Dean. Classic diversion tactics from an under performing, under siege board.

Apologies to Matt Dean on behalf of our club. The tweet would have been forgotten about within a couple of days had it not been for the embarassing response. One thing tonight has made me realise is it's a case of 'sack the board' rather than just 'Fenty out.'

Didn't watch the forum but I'd imagine that Fenty and Co have worked themselves up into a bit of a bunker mentality. To be fair, this is for some good reason as the amount of flak heading their way from these forums over the past month (and, I'd imagine, on social media?) has been substantial.

The problem is that this has led to the ridiculous overreaction to Matt's original report in Woodhouse. A simple denial without any snark would have done the job but the unnecessary dig against him has led to an escalation and they've then apparently doubled-down on the idiocy last night.

Surprised Slade was daft enough to have a go, truth be told, as he's been around the block a few times and should have known better. Obviously the bunker mentality in effect.

For Fenty, I've long said he should just keep his mouth shut as much as possible as he's got a distinct knack of shoving both feet in their and whipping up controversy when it is simply not necessary. Chairmen (even non-Chairmen) should preferably be seen but not heard. I'd imagine he's running the club as he runs his business which is clearly not going to work.

Basically just reinforces what many people think about the board and how the club is run,they and slade in particular were a disgrace towards matt dean....no class whatsoever.
Philip day seems to be the one board member to have any class or sense imo

A bit gutted for Matt. Even if you don't like his journalism at least keep it professional.

I don`t really get the anger over his tweet.Yes it was lazy journalism and he got it wrong totally unprofessional of all concerned that they had not sorted this out prior in private and MD was bushwhacked.

How wrong was Matt Dean though? I find it very peculiar in what Curtis Woodhouse tweeted and what Bridlington Towns chairman said for there to be nothing in it.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

I don`t really get the anger over his tweet.Yes it was lazy journalism and he got it wrong totally unprofessional of all concerned that they had not sorted this out prior in private and MD was bushwhacked.

This. It was dragged up last night as nothing more than a diversion, a way for Fenty and his posse to ride out of town on a high, with some sort of victory. So we have the format for future forums set in place...next time I suggest we spend 10 minutes pushing and pushing Russel Slade to explain why he ditched us at Cardiff, getting angry at him as we yell at him about 'Trust' and leving him in no doubt we're questioning his very professionalism. A real shame as he'd had a good night.

We then spend 10 minutes pushing John Fenty on why he (and others) recruited Neil Woods (and others) on the back of umpteen games without a win, getting angry and flustered with him not over a little Tweet but for plummetting this club into the pits of non-League.

There's more, much more that I could level at this board but I'm too angry about last nights embarrassing conclusion.
John, just run the club and get someone else for spokesman to the fans. Russel, just run the team and don't get involved in the background noise of Fenty vs the Media.
Marley, just leave and give the position to someone with some basic etiquette, vision and understanding of Grimsby Town fans.

I never saw the Matt Dean thing as I listened to the broadcast version but here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueaC76mcsTs

about 90 mins in

Just watched the last 30 minutes this morning,

Well the accountant Marley ? has got a big chip on his shoulder,

Fenty feels unloved and will never speak to me or Swin again,

Matt Dean should have got hisfactsright    before going to print but maybe he did check with the solicitor who knows ?

So it ended in a farce and all we have learnt is nobody wants to invest.

Fenty wants out the only person who spoke a lot of sense from the club was Slade and the Trust bloke.

It would have been better if we could have seen the fans there seemed to be a lot of Steve's there  

Quoted from Maringer

Didn't watch the forum but I'd imagine that Fenty and Co have worked themselves up into a bit of a bunker mentality. To be fair, this is for some good reason as the amount of flak heading their way from these forums over the past month (and, I'd imagine, on social media?) has been substantial.

The problem is that this has led to the ridiculous overreaction to Matt's original report in Woodhouse. A simple denial without any snark would have done the job but the unnecessary dig against him has led to an escalation and they've then apparently doubled-down on the idiocy last night.

Surprised Slade was daft enough to have a go, truth be told, as he's been around the block a few times and should have known better. Obviously the bunker mentality in effect.

For Fenty, I've long said he should just keep his mouth shut as much as possible as he's got a distinct knack of shoving both feet in their and whipping up controversy when it is simply not necessary. Chairmen (even non-Chairmen) should preferably be seen but not heard. I'd imagine he's running the club as he runs his business which is clearly not going to work.

Have a look at the video if you can. It is much worse than could be described on here. It basically tells you all you need to know about how the club is run.

A mistake/clanger/or poor reporting from a decent local journalist has been completely over exaggerated so the board (and indeed the manager) could vent their spleen.

I cannot imagine BBC Radio Humberside will take it lying down either; to humiliate  one of their employees in such a public way will make them very sore, and of course the club will get further bad publicity just when it could do without it.

The problem of course stems from the owner, whose fellow board members seem as aggressive /defensive as he is. It doesn't fill me with confidence that these are the people talking to the council and others about the new stadium project.  He said a few times he wants out. Let us hope that happens sooner than we thought possible as it must be apparent to everyone who follows the Mariners that we will never progress properly under the current board.

Even if by chance we got a new stadium - can anyone imagine this board overseeing it?  

Out of all this what was achieved, JF and his bunch proved they do not have the elequence or tact of Bill Carr . The supporters asked the right questions and were fobbed off which is usually the case. Mr Slade, who was supposed to be an educated man , has shown his colours regarding  Matt Dean , what a finger wagging t**t.

I had to turn off last night as I couldn't bear it.. it was uncomfortable viewing.

However hearing about the Matt Dean situation, I just checked it out on YouTube and can't believe what I was seeing. I thought us being relegated to non-league was a big low point, but I feel frankly like we've gone even lower than ever before right now. He maintained his dignity and professionalism in the face of completely unacceptable circumstances.

Maybe Matt should have apologised over the whole Woodhouse situation - but it's been blown so massively out of proportion by the club, that it's difficult to understand what's happening.

And seriously who were those two "fans" laying into him at the forum? Does anyone actually know them? I'm not trying to suggest / instigate a witch-hunt, god knows, but for them to be so vocal and completely against the general tide of opinion is highly dubious.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

I don`t really get the anger over his tweet.Yes it was lazy journalism and he got it wrong totally unprofessional of all concerned that they had not sorted this out prior in private and MD was bushwhacked.

Precisely. A simple denial and clarification of the situation by the club was all that was needed. Why are they acting like this?!

Quoted from Ruston AT

Out of all this what was achieved, JF and his bunch proved they do not have the elequence or tact of Bill Carr . The supporters asked the right questions and were fobbed off which is usually the case. Mr Slade, who was supposed to be an educated man , has shown his colours regarding  Matt Dean , what a finger wagging t**t.

I think Slade got a bit too high rate, and heated, but his point was a valid point IMO.

When the players read social media aswell, and then wonder if the manager is about to get sacked, it causes unnecessary worry and tension, however he dealt with it in the wrong way last night

Quoted from chicaneuk

I had to turn off last night as I couldn't bear it.. it was uncomfortable viewing.

However hearing about the Matt Dean situation, I just checked it out on YouTube and can't believe what I was seeing. I thought us being relegated to non-league was a big low point, but I feel frankly like we've gone even lower than ever before right now. He maintained his dignity and professionalism in the face of completely unacceptable circumstances.

Maybe Matt should have apologised over the whole Woodhouse situation - but it's been blown so massively out of proportion by the club, that it's difficult to understand what's happening.

And seriously who were those two "fans" laying into him at the forum? Does anyone actually know them? I'm not trying to suggest / instigate a witch-hunt, god knows, but for them to be so vocal and completely against the general tide of opinion is highly dubious.



Precisely. A simple denial and clarification of the situation by the club was all that was needed. Why are they acting like this?!

Wasn't it Fentys sister in law and and her yorkie fancy piece?

Quoted from chicaneuk

And seriously who were those two "fans" laying into him at the forum? Does anyone actually know them? I'm not trying to suggest / instigate a witch-hunt, god knows, but for them to be so vocal and completely against the general tide of opinion is highly dubious.

Good points. The much-maligned Fishy representatives conducted themsleves superbly. The pro-Fentyites at the end were noisy yobs. Bullies, even.
Make the next forum invite-only, invite the well behaved Fishy bunch and bar the gobshites at the end from any more forums.

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

I think Slade got a bit too high rate, and heated, but his point was a valid point IMO.

When the players read social media aswell, and then wonder if the manager is about to get sacked, it causes unnecessary worry and tension, however he dealt with it in the wrong way last night

You can't seriously be saying that if Woodhouse came in as a first team coach he'd be replacing Slade?

Realistically Slade was never going to get the chop. Fentys made a rod for his own back with his 4 year 138k a year contract.

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

When the players read social media aswell, and then wonder if the manager is about to get sacked, it causes unnecessary worry and tension, however he dealt with it in the wrong way last night

Walking out on your club after a dismal play off display causes unnecessary worry and tension. We're expected to let that one go, well the deal's off. Slade totally out of order, until I see him get so irate over Stevenage's treatment of the fans and other ongoing concerns it stays that way.

I could not believe how it disintegrated into a slanging match.  Fenty mainly to blame and the 3 idiots.

I agree that Fenty has lost the plot, feels got at, and sought to initiate a diversion at the end for his stored up anger.  The Woodhouse issue was of little consequence in the big scheme of things.

I took some notes towards the end: There was an awful comment from one idiot in the audience "This club would be be nothing without that man "Fenty". Did the slide down the divisions and 6 years in NL slip their memory?

This and other abusive comments did seem planned and orchestrated.   The shouted abuse all erupted at the same time and had a common (nasty) thread.  I could not believe how the night descended so quickly into farce.

Fenty did say (twice) that he would not communicate with 2 vile posters on the Fishy.  Do 2 negatives make a positive? He felt very strongly and angrily about a very small issue that is easily dealt with.  

Fenty did say that he is sick of being a punchbag. No doubt after training for his 10 rounds with the fans.  

Fenty also said that quite frankly, he is fed up - anyone can have the club.

I am pleased from the sound it that the potential takeover by USA owners last year did not come to fruition.  I didn't like their plan to only have 100% ownership, with no fan share ownership or representation.  Looks like they were in it for the wrong reasons.

Fenty woffled a lot about investment and possible change of club ownership.   Potential investment is more attractive with a new stadium, which is no surprise.  The accountant woffled on for a lot lot longer. Some of it was new information about the processes gone through to try and secure new investment.  He did have a patronising tone to the fans and if challenged on any point.  

Appointing a manager is a lottery.  This was said a few times.  No other Board would say this.  Later it was said that all Board managers study dossiers on potential new managers Any decision to appoint or sack a manager is a Board decision.  There is a rigourous interview process.  Fenty did make an interesting comment that "You have to believe their story" (what potential managers say at interview).  Well no!  Probe for evidence and challenge assumptions and comments.

Bignott was "head and shoulders" above other applicants.  This was said at the time. What went wrong with due diligence then for it to go so wrong so soon?  (Links back to believing their story. Why is the Club so naive?).

In summarising at the end, and standing up, Fenty hoped that everyone could now pull together after the Forum.   He then scored an own goal with an unprofessional and public attack on Matt Dean. "Head in hands.............

The club has not moved on generally or specifically.  Nothing changes does it?  We still have very poor PR and an amateur approach to running the club.   The small, irrelevant matters are given a disproportionate time and energy by the club.  The big issues are not discussed or fudged. I think that Fenty has a self-destruct gene as far as this Club is concerned and managed.  He confuses material points with issues of no consequence.  

Grimsby Telegraph have very kindly written a transcript of the whole Matt Dean/Curtis Woodhouse fiasco. Might be worth copying down for future reference, just cuts short from quoting the weirdos shouting abuse at Matt Dean:

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/angry-scenes-grimsby-town-fans-848326

I wonder if Matt Dean was set up long before last night?

I understand that a few weeks ago he upset Slade with negative questions after a game.

Maybe the sting was the Woodhouse story was given to him by a club 'source/official'. They then call him out to discredit him?

Just wouldnt be surprised IF the above scenario is close to the truth.

I would add I just cant believe ( despite constant proof) that the club can continually shoot themselves in the foot but also cannot seem to see they do nothing wrong??

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

Grimsby Telegraph have very kindly written a transcript of the whole Matt Dean/Curtis Woodhouse fiasco. Might be worth copying down for future reference, just cuts short from quoting the weirdos shouting abuse at Matt Dean:

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/angry-scenes-grimsby-town-fans-848326

This is annoying and more pathetic headline grabbing by the ET. 2 fans out of around 100 present had a go at MD and they had zero cause. JF and RS might have and they got there chance everyone else in the room was left embarrassed.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

This is annoying and more pathetic headline grabbing by the ET. 2 fans out of around 100 present had a go at MD and they had zero cause. JF and RS might have and they got there chance everyone else in the room was left embarrassed.

2 hecklers from the sounds of it…… it’s questionable too who they are actually fans of. GTFC or just JF 😗

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

I think Slade got a bit too high rate, and heated, but his point was a valid point IMO.

When the players read social media aswell, and then wonder if the manager is about to get sacked, it causes unnecessary worry and tension, however he dealt with it in the wrong way last night

I can't believe anyone actually thinks Woodhouse coming in as a first team coach would mean Slade getting the sack?!?!?!

A first team Coach would be just that, an additional member of staff to assist in Coaching the first team.


The only instance a Manager would have a similar title is at a Club that has a "Director of Football" or "Technical Director", where the Manager in that type of set-up often has the title "Head Coach".

Quoted from FishOutOfWater

2 hecklers from the sounds of it…… it’s questionable too who they are actually fans of. GTFC or just JF 😗

Well I was sat near the back so I wasn`t aware of anything prior but this just reared up out of nowhere? If they were relations of John I don`t recall him at anytime getting abuse last night or anything even the questions were reasonable but can`t say I have seen either before at a game unlike most of the other 100 or so.

Slade was talking balderdash (or at least exaggerating massively); destabilising the dressing room? Some of those players have played at high levels for big clubs; does he expect us to believe that every single twitter transfer rumour is treated as fact? Surely players take anything like this with huge pinches of salt?

That idiot in the audience was too - I didn't read the tweet as Woodhouse taking Slade's job, I'm not sure anyone did, did they? (Edit: just realised Tommy's posted the same thing)

As said above, a topic needlessly thrown in at the end by Fenty to make himself feel good.

There was an element of a snarling pack about the treatment of Matt Dean. Once JF made his point and then RS, the two people near the front waded in with vile abuse of Dean and other supporters who voiced a different opinion. Hitherto they’d been quiet (I was sat about two rows behind them) apart from the bloke shouting out earlier that ‘this club would be nothing without John Fenty’.

But despite the pack mentality I don’t think there’s any evidence of a pre-meditated plan. I’ve seen this sort of thing happen at meetings before (including being the pack’s prey). It’s just a couple of low status animals emboldened by the alpha-male’s lead.

If you’d planned this you’d orchestrate it in such a way that you come off looking better not worse.

Whilst I disagree with the way Dean was treated on the night, I do think that journalists in the course of their legitimate role sometimes say things without regard to the consequences on the people concerned. I can understand Slade’s annoyance but he should be old enough and wise enough to have handled himself better.

As for the two people shouting abuse, are they posters on here? If so it’d be interesting to hear why you think it’s OK to speak like that in a public meeting that is broadcast on the internet and what sort of impression you think it created of our club, our fans and Grimsby generally.

The outburst aimed at Matt Dean by the guy in the audience was embarrasing to say the least. Sounded like a bully and his language was too colourful for such an event. Very disappointing to listen to something like that as it sounded like a free for all

Slade v Dean

https://twitter.com/thefootballcult/status/931300786121797632

Quoted from Cloudy

I wonder if Matt Dean was set up long before last night?

I understand that a few weeks ago he upset Slade with negative questions after a game.

Maybe the sting was the Woodhouse story was given to him by a club 'source/official'. They then call him out to discredit him?

Just wouldnt be surprised IF the above scenario is close to the truth.

I would add I just cant believe ( despite constant proof) that the club can continually shoot themselves in the foot but also cannot seem to see they do nothing wrong??

Nowt like a good conspiracy lol

And that’s nowt like a good conspiracy  

Quoted from KingstonMariner

There was an element of a snarling pack about the treatment of Matt Dean. Once JF made his point and then RS, the two people near the front waded in with vile abuse of Dean and other supporters who voiced a different opinion. Hitherto they’d been quiet (I was sat about two rows behind them) apart from the bloke shouting out earlier that ‘this club would be nothing without John Fenty’.

But despite the pack mentality I don’t think there’s any evidence of a pre-meditated plan. I’ve seen this sort of thing happen at meetings before (including being the pack’s prey). It’s just a couple of low status animals emboldened by the alpha-male’s lead.

If you’d planned this you’d orchestrate it in such a way that you come off looking better not worse.

Whilst I disagree with the way Dean was treated on the night, I do think that journalists in the course of their legitimate role sometimes say things without regard to the consequences on the people concerned. I can understand Slade’s annoyance but he should be old enough and wise enough to have handled himself better.

As for the two people shouting abuse, are they posters on here? If so it’d be interesting to hear why you think it’s OK to speak like that in a public meeting that is broadcast on the internet and what sort of impression you think it created of our club, our fans and Grimsby generally.

Please do not confuse this with myself or 1ML.  I can assure you 100% it was neither of us and we were just as appalled as you.  

I thought up until the above incident things were going OK,  Slade did his presentation regarding defending from set pieces etc which was informative to all but the Slade out brigade IMO.

JF answered his questions that were put to him without too much aggression from either the person who asked the question,  or the audience, that`s not to say that all was rosy  but it was a forum not a love in

Most of the evening went reasonable well with applause for most of the answers given, until someone brought up the Matt fake news incident and the excrement hit the fan,  as someone has already mentioned it could have all been discussed and settled at the top table before the forum started.

In fact it was JF who chose to raise the Curtis Woodhouse affair and took the opportunity to have a go at Matt Dean in a public arena, backed up by Russell Slade and a couple of loudmouths in the audience. Almost as if it had been planned. Surely that could not have been the case could it? I thought the issue had died a death a couple of weeks ago and that we had moved on, apparently not.

Quoted from oldun

In fact it was JF who chose to raise the Curtis Woodhouse affair and took the opportunity to have a go at Matt Dean in a public arena, backed up by Russell Slade and a couple of loudmouths in the audience. Almost as if it had been planned. Surely that could not have been the case could it? I thought the issue had died a death a couple of weeks ago and that we had moved on, apparently not.

Maybe not planned but like all politicians JF saw the opportunity to try and discredit Matt saw his opportunity and took, Slade and a few morons in the audience jumped on the bandwagon, the woman who told Matt he has been a sh1t journo for 15 years represented the level they where thinking at.

On reflection if you took the last 30 mins of last nights meeting as a snap shot of GTFC you would think we where a tin pot pub side, small town and small time - completely tin pot.

Quoted from oldun

In fact it was JF who chose to raise the Curtis Woodhouse affair and took the opportunity to have a go at Matt Dean in a public arena, backed up by Russell Slade and a couple of loudmouths in the audience. Almost as if it had been planned. Surely that could not have been the case could it? I thought the issue had died a death a couple of weeks ago and that we had moved on, apparently not.

Just re-watched and Matt Dean appeared to want to bring things to a close, JF invited Marley to speak about investors and appeared to lead that into a pre-planned intervention by JF and his cohort.

I don't apologize ,MD ran full tilt  with a half story and got what he deserves,what makes me laugh is that if JF said nothing some pillocks would say well there must have been some truth in it,the guy cant win on this forum . Well done JF
let the red crosses reign

I know it wasn’t you and 1ML Civvy. You guys handled your contributions firmly (ooh-err) but fairly.

I was just wondering if one of the two at the front was Squarkus and what they had to say after sober reflection.

Quoted from newarkmariner

I don't apologize ,MD ran full tilt  with a half story and got what he deserves

What did he get exactly? And when did he get this ?

Quoted from newarkmariner

MD ran full tilt  

Please explain that one to me..did he really..full tilt??

Quoted from newarkmariner

I don't apologize ,MD ran full tilt  with a half story and got what he deserves,what makes me laugh is that if JF said nothing some pillocks would say well there must have been some truth in it,the guy cant win on this forum . Well done JF
let the red crosses reign

But apparently Matt had met with Philip Day last week and agreed that they had put the issue to bed, JF did't even know about the meeting, The conspiracy theorists among us could easily put Mr Day and "reliable source" in the same pub car park at the same time.  

Ran with a non story FACT and hes been called out on it, as I said well done JF

2 + 2 making 6 in pub carrparks

I don't like it when you read something is going to happen,

I like to read x y or z have signed for us or the new stadium is completed

Newark it clearly wasn’t a case of ‘well done Fenty’. If he’d rebutted MD’s tweet firmly but professionally this issue would have died a death.

Instead, because of his inability to issue a well thought out statement, and unwillingness to listen to those who pointed out it wasn’t the fact of the rebuttal but the manner in which he did it, and then the hijacking of the forum to have a go at Dean, the issue just drags on to the detriment of the club’s image.

I thought Matt Dean conducted himself really well, took excrement from some highly dubious vexed fans, from the board and even Slade. Matt Dean's response was  

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I know it wasn’t you and 1ML Civvy. You guys handled your contributions firmly (ooh-err) but fairly.

I was just wondering if one of the two at the front was Squarkus and what they had to say after sober reflection.

I can confirm that you are barking up the wrong tree as work commitments deemed Squarkus or I was in attendance and further more nothing to do with the uncalled for calling of MD from the audience.

Quoted from sonik

I can confirm that you are barking up the wrong tree as work commitments deemed Squarkus or I was in attendance and further more nothing to do with the uncalled for calling of MD from the audience.

But of course the calling from the panel was completely justified.

Thanks for the clarification Sonik. Glad you accept the calling of MD from the audience was uncalled for. I’m sure they did John (and the rest of us) no favours.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Thanks for the clarification Sonik. Glad you accept the calling of MD from the audience was uncalled for. I’m sure they did John (and the rest of us) no favours.

"John" was not a bit bothered about the audience calling out Matt Dean though, was he? He could have apologised and asked the audience members to treat the journalist with respect, but chose to make it a thousand times worse by joining in.

No LCL. He didn’t cover himself with glory did he. In his position, and given his comments earlier on abuse and bullying, he ought to know better. Definitely an own goal.

Maybe with a bit of reflection he’ll put out an olive branch.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

"John" was not a bit bothered about the audience calling out Matt Dean though, was he? He could have apologised and asked the audience members to treat the journalist with respect, but chose to make it a thousand times worse by joining in.

I watched the youtube coverage and he definitely apologised in some way to Matt late on. Did you hear Matt doing the same either last night or before? I didn't!

I watched as much as I could stomach of last night's incident in the office of the newspaper I work for this morning. In journalism, you know you're going to get criticism for doing your job sometimes. It goes with the territory. But what happened last night, combined with the earlier inflammatory statements issued by the club, went way beyond any reasonable definition of legitimate criticism. It amounted, in my view, to little more than a public character assassination that, far from damaging its intended target, has only served to damage the club.

I admire Matt Dean for the restraint and dignity he showed in the face of wholly unprofessional and unnecessary behaviour on the part of senior officials of our club. Had I been sat where he was, I would have made it very clear exactly what I thought of their conduct. The key point to remember is that, whoever was right or wrong, is you don't wash your dirty linen in public. As has already been said, all the club needed to do was to issue a short statement denying the original story and that would have ended the issue right there. If any further conversations then needed to take place between the club and the BBC, they should have taken place behind closed doors, NOT in a public setting like that.

To those of you who say Mr Dean got what he deserved for, allegedly, getting his facts wrong, I simply say this - the aggression of the denial and the behaviour we saw last night is often, in my experience, an indication that the original story was actually far more accurate than we know. Given that Mr Fenty apparently didn't know there had been a meeting between the club and the BBC to try to sort this out before last night's events, one is inclined to ask what else he doesn't know about the running of the club and who is actually running the club day to day.

Of course, these events follow a run of PR disasters for the club ranging from the inexplicable failure to defend supporters in the wake of the Football League's whitewash to the wholly inept portrayal of fans as "bullies" over the bastardised trophy (I will not speak its name). If there is anyone within the club who is responsible for media relations, then I'd like to see their qualifications because there is no recent evidence of them doing their job properly. One thing I've learnt over the years is that good PR people have the ability to both build positive relationships with journalists and, when necessary, save their paymasters from themselves. If only we had that.

Quoted from EY Mariner

I watched as much as I could stomach of last night's incident in the office of the newspaper I work for this morning. In journalism, you know you're going to get criticism for doing your job sometimes. It goes with the territory. But what happened last night, combined with the earlier inflammatory statements issued by the club, went way beyond any reasonable definition of legitimate criticism. It amounted, in my view, to little more than a public character assassination that, far from damaging its intended target, has only served to damage the club.

I admire Matt Dean for the restraint and dignity he showed in the face of wholly unprofessional and unnecessary behaviour on the part of senior officials of our club. Had I been sat where he was, I would have made it very clear exactly what I thought of their conduct. The key point to remember is that, whoever was right or wrong, is you don't wash your dirty linen in public. As has already been said, all the club needed to do was to issue a short statement denying the original story and that would have ended the issue right there. If any further conversations then needed to take place between the club and the BBC, they should have taken place behind closed doors, NOT in a public setting like that.

To those of you who say Mr Dean got what he deserved for, allegedly, getting his facts wrong, I simply say this - the aggression of the denial and the behaviour we saw last night is often, in my experience, an indication that the original story was actually far more accurate than we know. Given that Mr Fenty apparently didn't know there had been a meeting between the club and the BBC to try to sort this out before last night's events, one is inclined to ask what else he doesn't know about the running of the club and who is actually running the club day to day.

Of course, these events follow a run of PR disasters for the club ranging from the inexplicable failure to defend supporters in the wake of the Football League's whitewash to the wholly inept portrayal of fans as "bullies" over the bastardised trophy (I will not speak its name). If there is anyone within the club who is responsible for media relations, then I'd like to see their qualifications because there is no recent evidence of them doing their job properly. One thing I've learnt over the years is that good PR people have the ability to both build positive relationships with journalists and, when necessary, save their paymasters from themselves. If only we had that.

Top post

At the risk of going over the same old ground. BOTH PARTIES are to blame.
Matt got a sensitive issue wrong. But the club statement in response was a woeful piece of PR.  Thus leading to a playground style spat in which NO-ONE came out with dignity intact.
I tried very hard last night (as did others) to make John understand that it wasn’t the rebuttal. It was the tone and the wording. But John is in full siege mode. Therefore, anything less than 100% backing is seen as an attack. I personally would have liked to hear some kind of apology from Matt, but clearly that wasn’t forthcoming either. I can say that I did see him and John shake hands at the end. That was after the shenanigans I might add.

I think it needs a line drawing under it and both parties need to move on.

Quoted from Civvy at last

At the risk of going over the same old ground. BOTH PARTIES are to blame.
Matt got a sensitive issue wrong. But the club statement in response was a woeful piece of PR.  Thus leading to a playground style spat in which NO-ONE came out with dignity intact.
I tried very hard last night (as did others) to make John understand that it wasn’t the rebuttal. It was the tone and the wording. But John is in full siege mode. Therefore, anything less than 100% backing is seen as an attack. I personally would have liked to hear some kind of apology from Matt, but clearly that wasn’t forthcoming either. I can say that I did see him and John shake hands at the end. That was after the shenanigans I might add.

I think it needs a line drawing under it and both parties need to move on.

I have been in the kind of position that Mr Dean is in now myself and there is no way I would apologise for a story if I believed it to be accurate, as I presume he does. If the club then wants to go further, then there are proper complaints procedures they can, and should, pursue.

Quoted from EY Mariner

I have been in the kind of position that Mr Dean is in now myself and there is no way I would apologise for a story if I believed it to be accurate, as I presume he does. If the club then wants to go further, then there are proper complaints procedures they can, and should, pursue.

Agreed.

I agree with many of the sentiments about the whole situation. Maybe Matt Dean could have apologised for breaking an incorrect story (but even then I'm not really convinced he really should have had to) purely in the interests of keeping the peace but regardless of whether his story was right or wrong, he clearly believed it to be true. My personal issue with this whole situation is with the extremely childish and confrontational tone of the 'press releases' by the club. Honestly even now, all these days later, I'm still in disbelief that they felt it was appropriate to put those out into the public domain. A professionally worded statement from the club dismissing the reports would have had far more impact than what look like the ramblings of an angry person who hasn't even sat and thought about what they wanted to write - just rattled straight out in a rage, and hit the submit button.

A public rebuttal of the story by the club, maybe even a public request for an apology for a factually incorrect report from Matt - albeit one that doesn't look like it was written by someone with poor PR skills - or at the very least a public request for a retraction of the story, and take it behind closed doors for further discussion if necessary through official channels. Publicly lambasting a journalist who is trying to do a job, who clearly is passionate about the work, and clearly published the story with the right intentions is just mind boggling.

I mean jesus - I'm willing to wager the majority of us know next to nothing about journalism or PR - yet it seems so blinding obvious how this sort of stuff SHOULD be handled.