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Freefall

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Dave Roberts
March 19, 2018, 8:33pm
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I have never posted on the Fishy before because to be honest I don’t like the anonymity but feel it may be useful to give my observations and also help with some context/history.
As  you may have seen I have recently re-joined the Trust board after stepping down 18months ago having spent 5 years solid helping to get it established. When I saw that someone with Paul’s ability had resigned I felt I couldn’t just sit back without trying to help and so offered my services again. I did this because I feel passionately about the principle of fan representation and also having put so much into building the Trust I am not prepared to let all that hard work go to waste. I am certainly not doing it for any self-interest!!
So far I have had one meeting which focused on the survey results, memberships and events. I will come onto the survey results but two key issues I have observed already is that the membership system is in a mess and needs sorting and also there has been a complete lack of activity in terms of events. Both of these can be and will be addressed very quickly.
One of the last things Paul did, quite rightly, was to instigate the survey to help the Trust understand key issues and determine the direction going forward.  I am a bit confused by some of the comments I have seen because the action from the meeting was to put together an action plan based on the results. I am not aware that we have said anywhere that we are ignoring the results and not representing the fans views.
The key issue coming out of the survey was paying £30k for a board place. As someone who was party to the original agreement I am well placed to give some historical context on this. When the Trust was first re-formed the discussions we had with the club about getting involved resulted in us having to show that we had the ability to organise events and fundraise. To this end we were given the opportunity to take over the running of the bars which at the time were more of a hassle for the club and they certainly were not making much money on them. As we all know we quickly turned them around and improved the match day experience for fans with more outlets and improved facilities. When we had the chance to have a place on the board we were asked to commit to contributing £30k a year to help the budget. As we were in the conference at the time and a good proportion of the funds was being generated from the bars it seems to us entirely reasonable and fair. Let us be absolutely clear that if we were to pull away from the board the bars and it's staff will go back to being the club’s responsibility and the vast majority of the £30k currently raised each year will disappear.  I have also seen a figure of £46K mentioned, for clarity the additional money is not something new and has been in place since day one of the agreement. It is basically the rent for the seven outlets we have and covers the cost of electricity ,insurance, water, rates etc  which are costs the club pay for directly.  
   It is now entirely reasonable to re appraise this agreement and the action from the survey will be that we will be taking a proposal to the club to review the conditionality of the £30k for the board place.

Another key issue raised from the survey are around much better communication and that is something we are definitely taking on board and will be improving.

In terms of fan representation on the board there were some who thought we should step down but more who thought we should be using our place to more effect. Again something we need to take on board and probably links back into the communication issue. From my own experience working with SD in the past and networking with other club’s supporters fan representation on the board is a precious thing and something some other clubs supporters can only dream of. It is not something you can just dip in and out of as you please and so giving it up would need very careful consideration indeed. I know it doesn’t always seem that way but I can assure people from first hand experience that fans views are very strongly represented.
There were also some people who think we should front a fan owned club but nowhere near a majority.  Again to be clear on this the current Trust board have neither the desire or belief to go in that direction, and so if there was suddenly an overwhelming desire by the fans to do that, w  then some others would have to step forward to make it happen. Do we agree that regime change is needed? Yes we do, but we feel that is best served by trying to seek out like minded individuals/groups to work with. The start point is to understand what regime change entails and that work is underway. At some point things will change and we need to be part of driving that and be in place when it happens.

I don’t know what has happened in the recent past as I wasn’t involved but I know it cannot be changed and the only thing that can be influenced is the future. To be honest I don’t recognise the description of people in it for their own self interest and can only ask that people judge on the actions over the next few months which will be driven by the survey, if that is not representing the fans then I am not sure what is. Ultimately it is down to us to regain the faith of the fans and if we don’t manage that then may be it is time to pack up and go home but I for one am not going to let that happen without at least trying.
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Bigdog
March 19, 2018, 8:56pm
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I think a follow up ballot to members of two or three definitive questions may be in order with simple yes or no answers. The survey was good to collate a general mood and determine what was most pressing in fan's minds, but in no way was it framed to give the Trust board a mandate from their interpretation of the results. If there were more than two answer options per question it is always unlikely that there would have been a majority vote (50%+) for any of the questions.

Trust on the GTFC board                                                                   YES   NO
Primary activity to attract investment to replace current regime          YES   NO
Re-negotiate bar contract                                                                  YES   NO
Support regime change at GTFC                                                        YES   NO

All seem appropriate and would give a clear mandate..
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ginnywings
March 19, 2018, 9:03pm

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So we have current and ex Trust board bigwigs appearing on the fishy contradicting each other. One saying too many are in it for self interest, and others denying that is the case. Even the Trust is a divisive topic it now seems. Just more sh1te in the GTFC soap opera. I just want to see a football team that, you know, plays football and scores goals. No wonder fans are deserting in droves,
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MuddyWaters
March 19, 2018, 9:15pm
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To be perfectly frank, 15 years is plenty long enough to be in control of a football club and plenty long enough to judge how successful that regime has been.
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Tell the truth
March 19, 2018, 9:28pm
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Mr Roberts why did you stand down in the first place?.You have done a lot of hard work in the trust.But what was the real reason you stood down.
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Dave Roberts
March 19, 2018, 10:14pm
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Quoted from Tell the truth
Mr Roberts why did you stand down in the first place?.You have done a lot of hard work in the trust.But what was the real reason you stood down.


In truth it pretty much took over my life and having also had a major health scare during that time it was a case of family first.
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Civvy at last
March 19, 2018, 10:27pm

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Quoted from KingstonMariner


So you're admitting it was you at Burton. Shame on you Civvy.


I certainly was at Burton KM. But I can assure you I wasn’t involved in any way at all in the shenanigans that occurred that day.  Funnily enough it was a double whammy for me that day.
Rightly or wrongly Grimsbys hooligan element were respected within the hooligan world. But pre-match at Burton, I witnesssed a fifty odd year old town ‘lad’  marching around with 40 or 50 yoof scaring anyone around. It was pathetic and sad to see. It was then followed by Town getting relegated out of the league and some advertising hoardings getting a right good kicking.
I never went on the pitch. I neither cheered or boo’d. I just stood in the stand for about 15 minutes absolutely gutted on both counts.  I won’t be at FGR. even if we need a result to stay up.
We could fill Wembley full of our own fans and it still wouldn’t galvanise this bunch of non achievers so I wouldn’t waste my time or money.  Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Three months ago we were talking about sending FGR down. How ironic that it could well be the other way round !!


The wife was going away for a girly weekend.
I jokingly remarked  'I don't know whether to spend it watching porn or watching football'
'you may as well spend it watching porn' she replied
That's understanding darling what makes you say that? I asked

She said 'Well you already know how to play football'  
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Mrs Doyle
March 19, 2018, 10:30pm
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Honest question to everyone.

I can see where it put a massive pressure on players and manager alike but the way things were going the board seemed to be just going through the motions without the financial input to make a difference but............

Do you think without Operation Promotion we would still have got promoted that season?
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KingstonMariner
March 19, 2018, 10:37pm
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Quoted from Civvy at last


I certainly was at Burton KM. But I can assure you I wasn’t involved in any way at all in the shenanigans that occurred that day.  Funnily enough it was a double whammy for me that day.
Rightly or wrongly Grimsbys hooligan element were respected within the hooligan world. But pre-match at Burton, I witnesssed a fifty odd year old town ‘lad’  marching around with 40 or 50 yoof scaring anyone around. It was pathetic and sad to see. It was then followed by Town getting relegated out of the league and some advertising hoardings getting a right good kicking.
I never went on the pitch. I neither cheered or boo’d. I just stood in the stand for about 15 minutes absolutely gutted on both counts.  I won’t be at FGR. even if we need a result to stay up.
We could fill Wembley full of our own fans and it still wouldn’t galvanise this bunch of non achievers so I wouldn’t waste my time or money.  Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Three months ago we were talking about sending FGR down. How ironic that it could well be the other way round !!


Mate, it was meant to be a joke. Sorry. I wouldn't imagine you were a hoodie in a million years.


Through the door there came familiar laughter,
I saw your face and heard you call my name.
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser,
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
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Tell the truth
March 19, 2018, 10:38pm
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Thanks for clearing that one up Dave
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