Who would buy GTFC ?

With the takeover bubbling in the background and as a  point for discussion , who would want to buy GTFC? Now, I'm a Grimbarian and this is the only club I could ever imagine supporting but what would the appeal be for someone to want to buy our club. Apart from the potential for increased gates of upto a possible average of 7,000 there is not much else really going for the club. Although the ground has had some improvements over the summer it still remains a fairly run-down relic of a previous age. NE Lincs is not a particularly attractive area and is a bit like an amalgamation of Fleetwood and Morecambe - ie a faded fishing port and a second rate holiday resort. Now don't get me wrong, I love my town but I can also see it's lack of appeal to anybody other than a local person who has " done good ". What do other Fishy posters think could be used as a selling point to attract other potential buyers/investors if the present takeover doesn't materialise?

The area is in desperate need of regeneration. If you wanted to be at the forefront of the regeneration, especially with a hope that green energy could make the town have even a slight bit of potential, you’d do well to buy a club at the heart of the community and use it as the centre of a new public works project you would help make the regeneration successful, and then the club you own would be worth much more, plus have the chance of using the new income to become more successful (only minimally, but it all counts).

Cleethorpes for me is going from strength to strength and the potential to build on the docks is exciting , look at Hartlepool to see how it can be done. Grimsby has had no money given to it like Liverpool and Hull to the tune of billions and we should start to see some big regeneration . The docks has loads of potential and as a mate pointed out who does a bit of sailing that coming up the East coast you have Wells next to sea then Whitby . Hull is the only stop off with facilities at the minute but adds up to 6 hours on a journey up and down the Humber whereas if the docks had the facilities it would be ideal. Tomorrows game is a prime example of revenue available as if we had a stadium to accommodate 4000 away fans Bradford would've sold it out .

Good question, two things that spring to mind is the investment that is coming into the Freemo/Docks area.  Regardless of whether our stadium gets built there, it's a sign that Gy is on the up and has potential. Secondly, despite the shite we've been served, we have a loyal and passionate fan base, which with the right guidance should expand by tapping into the floating fan base across Lincolnshire.

If I had the money, I would happily buy GTFC, however, I would be an investor only, I would hire someone who knows what they are doing to run the club.

It’s not a case of wether I’d buy Town or not it’s more of who I’d get to run it.

If you had the kind of money to buy they club, relocate it and grow it you certainly wouldn’t want to be too involved in the day to day stuff.

I would imagine considering in reality there is a glass ceiling in terms of gates & revenue the money you’d need to put in wouldn’t stop with just a purchase and a move.

Then again lift the fan/public good will and engagement, get the ball down a lot of stuff might just look after itself.

To answer the subject question, anyone that fulfills Fenty's criteria.

If I had the money, and subject to the agreement of her indoors, I’d buy it for sentimental reasons and to give something back. I’d like to hand it over to the Trust on trust with the proviso that they never sold it and held it in trust (too many trusts) on behalf of the people of NEL.

I can't really see many answers to the question asked by Rancido except the same disguised "digs" at the present hierarchy.

Great thread Ranicdo.

I think in today's market were going to struggle and realistically the only one who is going to buy the club is a Grimsby Town fan who has come good financially .Saying that though if I was a businessman I could think of far more deserving enterprises where I could put my money in albeit charity's that are true to my heart.

There's plenty of reasons; like Shutes envisages - integrating the Club into the heart of the community via the exciting new redevelopment proposals, a Club which a lesser scale sleeping giant in that it has a a fantastic history and tradition as part of the tapestry of the town with lots of support out that just waiting to be re-inspired. We used to knock on 30000 fans at times.

Let's not go all Brexiteers versus Remoan but if we leave the blasted Common Fisherys Policy our decimated industry could pick up again and along with Free Port status for Grimsby and Immingham, timed with the regeneration we could be looking at an age of prosperity once again.

Some swanky apartment pads on the regenerated docks, this that and a bit of foresight, the potential there with the draw of Cleethorpes already to really start launching ourselves in the 21st Century and beyond.

But, compulsory Fenty dig impending, the Club not so attractive with the need to hand over 2 million big ones for nothing other than to get our current custodian to prize himself out his chair.

Quoted from golfer

I can't really see many answers to the question asked by Rancido except the same disguised "digs" at the present hierarchy.

I'm not going to disguise any digs. The club has been run badly for far too long.

The irony is that the only selling point the club has got is a regeneration pot that has nothing to do with anything positive that the football club has done.

Quoted from Rik e B

Let's not go all Brexiteers versus Remoan but if we leave the blasted Common Fisherys Policy our decimated industry could pick up again and along with Free Port status for Grimsby and Immingham, timed with the regeneration we could be looking at an age of prosperity once again.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but do we have the infrastructure (boats) and resource (skilled manpower) to reignite the fishing industry?

I've got a fishing rod and a rubber dingy...

I'm guessing with these things if the demand and opportunity is there things would pick up gradually. I'm not an economist or whatever 'ist' is needed to dissect such matters of growth, but opportunity is generally seized upon if the chance is there.

A sugar daddy with some sort of local connection
A businessman with a greater vision for a long term investment than most (given none have come forward so far)
A speculative chancer with more money than sense

Outside of those i really dont know....we know that the club in its current business model & location will only be fit for League 2 at best....
to climb the leagues needs either a significant injection of cash or a sustainable long term investment and steady rise.

A new ground doesnt guarantee anything at all long term.... local community engagement and some success on the pitch need to fall into place as well....there is little chance of the community relationship being built with the current regime, to much bad blood now so a new owner would have to hit the ground running with that one to even dream of mobilising the local fans.....success on the pitch is effected by budget and although we were told the budget for Jolley would be improved this year the squad still looks thin to me....so Jolley has either spent the extra on Hanson/Green/Macca, hasnt finished spending yet or the budget didnt get increased after all. Either way JF's approach of balancing the books as he wants out is grinding the club to a halt..and if you arent moving forward in business then you are falling behind.

Lincoln have had a mixture of luck in getting the appointment of the Cowleys right, football fortune and off field investment which came with a change of board/chair....they are now on a roll and in danger of outgrowng their home and potentially  losing income as they cant meet demand for seats....what a difference 2/3 years make with a change of approach.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Correct me if I'm wrong, but do we have the infrastructure (boats) and resource (skilled manpower) to reignite the fishing industry?

No we dont but with investment that could happen.
The renewables industry we keep hearing about started in the town with no boats or skiled manpower.

I just wanted to see what other fans thought would be the appeal of buying GTFC regardless of club politics. Regardless of JF, what has the club as a concern and the area got to offer to a potential buyer. Sadly and predictably the "usual suspects" once again turn a reasonable thread, open to differing interpretations, into a dig at JF. We even have one post questioning the playing budget without knowing what it is and overlooking the fact that the transfer season still hasn't closed yet.

Quoted from rancido

I just wanted to see what other fans thought would be the appeal of buying GTFC regardless of club politics. Regardless of JF, what has the club as a concern and the area got to offer to a potential buyer. Sadly and predictably the "usual suspects" once again turn a reasonable thread, open to differing interpretations, into a dig at JF. We even have one post questioning the playing budget without knowing what it is and overlooking the fact that the transfer season still hasn't closed yet.

“The ‘usual suspects’ once again...” can you be more specific?  You’re casting aspersions rather widely. Most have answered your first question from their own points of view. Some have answered your second question.

As others have said reasons for ‘investing’ in GTFC:
A profitable business
Signs of growth in the towns
Strong, loyal supporter base
A historic brand, recognised nationally (and even internationallly)
Chance to be associated with emerging green industry, and new generation food and leisure sector
Linked real estate Develoment opportunities
Under-exploited revenue opportunities for the club
For businesses that have profited from the town, a chance to put something back (good PR and advertising)
Sentiment amongst the Grimbarian Diaspora (of all levels of wealth).

I don't think there are enough people amongst "Grimbarian Diaspora" with the wealth to own a football club who would really want to when they see how a certain person who "rescued" the club from certain extinction has been treat by "so called" fans[or bigots]

Quoted from golfer

I don't think there are enough people amongst "Grimbarian Diaspora" with the wealth to own a football club who would really want to when they see how a certain person who "rescued" the club from certain extinction has been treat by "so called" fans[or bigots]

There's a lot of people out there with a little bit of money. Given the right framework and strategy, it's collectively a big untapped source.

As for the treatment by "so-called" fans of someone who supposedly rescued the club from certain extinction, what flipping planet are you on? Have you not seen the amount of debt many clubs have been in and pulled through? And the last FL clubs to go out of business were Aldershot and Maidstone 27 years ago. You need to get out on the golf course more and get some fresh air and perspective.

PS Fenty has got off lightly.

PPS if Rancido wants to have a go at someone for dragging this thread down, he should look no further than you. By far the most provocative and negative poster on this thread.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

There's a lot of people out there with a little bit of money. Given the right framework and strategy, it's collectively a big untapped source.

As for the treatment by "so-called" fans of someone who supposedly rescued the club from certain extinction, what flipping planet are you on? Have you not seen the amount of debt many clubs have been in and pulled through? And the last FL clubs to go out of business were Aldershot and Maidstone 27 years ago. You need to get out on the golf course more and get some fresh air and perspective.

Iii aaamm onnn  plaaneeett Reeallitee-there arrrr nnno ggolff corrsees aas thrre iis no graaass bbutt wwee hhaavee the seense yoo nott beer grudgess annd know when somebody is doing the best they can

Quoted from rancido

With the takeover bubbling in the background and as a  point for discussion , who would want to buy GTFC? Now, I'm a Grimbarian and this is the only club I could ever imagine supporting but what would the appeal be for someone to want to buy our club. Apart from the potential for increased gates of upto a possible average of 7,000 there is not much else really going for the club. Although the ground has had some improvements over the summer it still remains a fairly run-down relic of a previous age. NE Lincs is not a particularly attractive area and is a bit like an amalgamation of Fleetwood and Morecambe - ie a faded fishing port and a second rate holiday resort. Now don't get me wrong, I love my town but I can also see it's lack of appeal to anybody other than a local person who has " done good ". What do other Fishy posters think could be used as a selling point to attract other potential buyers/investors if the present takeover doesn't materialise?

I think your post could be used to describe any number of football clubs, but a lot have found buyers and have gone on to better things.

I just don't see why Grimsby and surrounding area is any different to other less affluent parts of the country where the local team has found a buyer.

An affinity to the town is usually the first requirement, money of course, and the vision to see  the club progress up the leagues and be a major part of it. if you also have the conditions that are ripe for a new stadium and a true legacy for the town as a whole, then a philanthropist with financial backers would be interested, as indeed they are.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I think your post could be used to describe any number of football clubs, but a lot have found buyers and have gone on to better things.

I just don't see why Grimsby and surrounding area is any different to other less affluent parts of the country where the local team has found a buyer.

An affinity to the town is usually the first requirement, money of course, and the vision to see  the club progress up the leagues and be a major part of it. if you also have the conditions that are ripe for a new stadium and a true legacy for the town as a whole, then a philanthropist with financial backers would be interested, as indeed they are.

I appreciate that but I was looking specifically at our club and it's appeal.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

PPS if Rancido wants to have a go at someone for dragging this thread down, he should look no further than you. By far the most provocative and negative poster on this thread.

I never mentioned anybody dragging the thread down, just why bring JF into a rhetorical question about the appeal of the club and area to a prospective investor. I'm certainly not negative but I am a realist and know how my town appears to outsiders. Even though there is only about 30,000 difference in the population do you honestly believe that Bournemouth would be less appealing to a buyer than Grimsby , even if they were at our level in the football pyramid?

Quoted from rancido

I never mentioned anybody dragging the thread down, just why bring JF into a rhetorical question about the appeal of the club and area to a prospective investor. I'm certainly not negative but I am a realist and know how my town appears to outsiders. Even though there is only about 30,000 difference in the population do you honestly believe that Bournemouth would be less appealing to a buyer than Grimsby , even if they were at our level in the football pyramid?

The rhetorical question infers GTFC in its’ current state therefore its’ current ownership is relevant. Without going through all of what’s happened, to me, the biggest problem created is the disconnect between the club and the fans. This could mean, if a new owner gets his act together, a deal potentially even better than he might have imagined. Connecting families back to the club would be one of the first things a new owner should do.

Haven’t read all the thread but did read the op .. cleethorpes looked nothing like a second rate holiday resort armed forces weekend , like gtfc the potential is there just needs the finance and vision  

Quoted from rancido

I appreciate that but I was looking specifically at our club and it's appeal.

And thats exactly the problem to everyone other than a multi-millionaire benefactor born in GY or Meggies whose Grandad took him when he was a lad to Blundell Park where he stood in the boy's stand while Grandad stood nearby in the Barratt it has no appeal to anyone. It certainly isn't going to make any new owner rich that's for sure.

Quoted from Ipswin

And thats exactly the problem to everyone other than a multi-millionaire benefactor born in GY or Meggies whose Grandad took him when he was a lad to Blundell Park where he stood in the boy's stand while Grandad stood nearby in the Barratt it has no appeal to anyone. It certainly isn't going to make any new owner rich that's for sure.

Exactly , which is the point I was trying to make.

Quoted from Ipswin

And thats exactly the problem to everyone other than a multi-millionaire benefactor born in GY or Meggies whose Grandad took him when he was a lad to Blundell Park where he stood in the boy's stand while Grandad stood nearby in the Barratt it has no appeal to anyone. It certainly isn't going to make any new owner rich that's for sure.

Name any owners that buy a football club to get rich or make money. one or two out of hundreds who do and the huge majority who don't maybe. Some talk of investment into football clubs as if it's got to be a business deal for return on investment. At least ninety nine times out of a hundred it's got nothing to do with profit. It's for the love of the game, the kudos of owning a football club, building a mortal legacy or altruism and usually a mix of all four reasons. Anyone who meets this criteria would have reason to buy GTFC as they could certainly make their mark on our run down club and local area. Quite a lot to gain for reasons other than profit is my answer to the OP..