Tom Shutes

Quoted from pen penfras

We all know full well that Day was referring to the leaked story to the telegraph that Shutes was interested in taking over the club. Presumably to put pressure on the bid being accepted without providing any credible evidence for his vision. There is no proof that this was the case, but it certainly suggests the club weren't involved in leaking the story.

Once again no evidence at all with what you have stated.
Please provide it if you have it available?

The current board have achieved the square root of nothing during their tenure, so the Shutes proposals are just more of the same at the moment. No more or less likely to happen than previous proposals. Can't see why he would be putting this in the press though without any foundation....

Quoted from pen penfras

We all know full well that Day was referring to the leaked story to the telegraph that Shutes was interested in taking over the club. Presumably to put pressure on the bid being accepted without providing any credible evidence for his vision. There is no proof that this was the case, but it certainly suggests the club weren't involved in leaking the story.

Absolute poppycock. (a) we don’t all know; (b) the supposed motive is purely conjecture; (c) it only suggests the club weren’t involved if you believe it was Shutes.

It could just as easily been someone connected with someone at the club for their own motives. There were people on this board who claim to have known about the bid.

Unless Day can come forward with any evidence that Shutes had gone to the media before, I’d suggest he made a big mistake trying to undermine someone else’s credibility by making such a claim. Anyone else repeating that is just spouting tittle tattle to support the regime.

Quoted from ginnywings

The current board have achieved the square root of nothing during their tenure, so the Shutes proposals are just more of the same at the moment. No more or less likely to happen than previous proposals. Can't see why he would be putting this in the press though without any foundation....

That's very harsh of you Ginny, remember they've saved us from being like Bury..

Shutes has got to back up his proposals of course and I hope he does because it will be the only way we get a new stadium imho. What is interesting is looking at the website of the architects he has used for the images of the stadium, hotel and residential complex at Garth Lane and also the Icehouse.

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/new-hope-grimsbys-derelict-ice-4117174

http://waughthistleton.com/projects/

Associating with a company like this gives me a lot more confidence in that individual than a group who put their faith in Extreme Leisure for a number of years. Pretty pictures at the minute, but let's hope there's more substance to come in the future..

Quoted from Bigdog

That's very harsh of you Ginny, remember they've saved us from being like Bury..

Shutes has got to back up his proposals of course and I hope he does because it will be the only way we get a new stadium imho. What is interesting is looking at the website of the architects he has used for the images of the stadium, hotel and residential complex at Garth Lane and also the Icehouse.

http://waughthistleton.com/projects/

Associating with a company like this gives me a lot more confidence in that individual than a group who put their faith in Extreme Leisure for a number of years. Pretty pictures at the minute, but let's hope there's more substance to come in the future..

I agree, and i'm not dismissing Shutes out of hand. In fact i feel he is more likely to achieve it than the current board and the local council are, with no disrespect to either of those two bodies. I think Shutes has better contacts and a less parochial approach, but like many, I'm now at the stage of believing it when it happens.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

What a vision. The idea that the current board have any credibility when it comes to them possibly delivering a stadium is laughable.

Shutes’ drawings are pretty spectacular. Seems strange that he would waste his time going public about his plans for the club if he could acquire it, if it wasn’t his intention to do so. Surely the board have questions to answer on why the deal with Shutes fell through, as he presents contrary information.
Why is it that we would automatically trust the board over him?

They are no more impressive than the vision for Freeman Street. Or by spectacular do you mean there is an upper tier? You don't need to see the Dock Tower from inside the stadium.

I have said it before and I'll say it again: it is madness to go to the trouble and expense of filling in the dock when there is a brownfield site just a few hundred metres away.

Four separate stands would be okay for atmosphere as long as they are fully screened at the ends. Four stands of equal height, with the side stands covering the entire length of the pitch, and toilets with room for more than six people, would be a vast improvement on Blundell Park.

"Fan" Views from the ever reliable GT.

As a life-long Grimsby Town fan I believe the current board are acting in the best interests of the club and the community it represents. Whilst the proposals by Tom Shutes and his colleagues are very exciting and would really bring a sense of pride to the area, it appears there is not enough meat on the bones in terms of detail. The current board of directors have a duty to ensure the long term viability of the club. It would appear, on the face of it, that they have requested information that is relevant and needed before any potential takeover can take the place. Whilst I would love to see Mr Shutes’ plans come to fruition, the devil is in the detail. Until that detail is available I believe the board are doing the right thing by the business, fans, players and the wider community by not proceeding further without assurance the club is safe for future generations - Matthew Jason Brown

If he isn't coming forward with all the information that you want, to me that seems he is hiding something and has another agenda and his plans should not go ahead - Wayne Tucker


I fully back the board. If they have asked for basic information from Mr Shutes and it has not been forthcoming then they have to ask why? We have to be sure that if and when the club is passed on that it is done so to a worthy and financially sound person who has only the best of intentions for GTFC and its fans. - Peter Grant

Freeman Street is the key to unlocking Grimsby. The Docks would be a flood risk, so why put a stadium there? Tom Shutes is living in dream land if he thinks that will be a viable proposal. I fully support the board. - Holly James
Any new stadium is too big at 14,000, with at best for most games only 4,000 to 5,000. How can you create an atmosphere? It should be on Freeman Street with at most 10,000 to 12,000 capacity - James Woodhouse

  If the guy is found to be genuine then snap his hand off, because when the dust has settled after this pandemic there is no way any money is coming our way and let's face it, funding of a new stadium will be way down the to-do list of any responsible authority, take his money or be prepared to see your days out at the rapidly degenerating BP - Richard Jones

I think it's a brilliant idea to go forward with Grimsby Town. Over the years, we have heard this and that and nothing gets done. Let's do something positive for a change - Nigel Judge

Obviously not going to happen! I hope Shutes gets the stadium built on the docks, but think Freeman Street will win. With Ollie in charge it really doesn't matter. UTMM!! -  Bill Brown

As much as I, and am sure many fans would love to see that stadium on the docks, as Mr Day quite rightly points out, it’s not at the top of the club’s priorities right now. I have faith in Mr Day as chairman with the current board, manager, players and staff and will be very optimistic for looking forward when football starts again. UTM -  Rob Parkinson

Nice ideas for new stadium. But why now nearly a year on. He's not come up with the financial plan. So thank you, but I prefer Fenty. He brought a great manager in Ollie, who got the fans and community behind him. So Shutes you had your chance last year, you blew it, bye. Let's get on with getting promotion next season and moving to Freeman street. UTM - David Storr

  Shutes - a chancer who sounds like the dreamers and tyre kickers who have led to the decline of great old clubs in the past with no long-term survival plan, just the here and now. How many clubs built a new ground only to have no back-up if it doesn't mean instant success, leading to administration or worse. Things are looking up at the moment, the boat needs to keep steady. - Tony Inch

If Mr Shutes really wants Town relocated then he has to give the board what they want and put his money down, Town can’t carry on with ifs and buts, we need this new ground, we have the manager, lets go forward with Mr Shutes - Ray Hutton

If it’s ‘oven ready’ then get it done! The club is on an upward curve with the right manager, some potential in the squad and incredible support. This would be a risk but, in reality, if you don’t break your comfort zone then you don’t move forward. No one has ever achieved anything without taking a risk! The area needs this regeneration and the docks have always been my preferred home for the club. The club is built around fish; Harry the haddock, the mighty mariner, our badge.....our history should be in our future. - Andy S

Has it ever been advised by the board how much was spent with Extreme Leisure or didn't it cost the club anything?

Quoted from White_shorts

They are no more impressive than the vision for Freeman Street. Or by spectacular do you mean there is an upper tier? You don't need to see the Dock Tower from inside the stadium.

I have said it before and I'll say it again: it is madness to go to the trouble and expense of filling in the dock when there is a brownfield site just a few hundred metres away.

Four separate stands would be okay for atmosphere as long as they are fully screened at the ends. Four stands of equal height, with the side stands covering the entire length of the pitch, and toilets with room for more than six people, would be a vast improvement on Blundell Park.

Four separate stands would be shite and a total insult. It must have connected and closed corners.


Vision for the icehouse is impressive and I believe that both drawings at the Dock are related to actual drawn plans, whereas the Freemo one is just a computer mock up.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Four separate stands would be shite and a total insult. It must have connected and closed corners.


Vision for the icehouse is impressive and I believe that both drawings at the Dock are related to actual drawn plans, whereas the Freemo one is just a computer mock up.

When it comes to a new ground the past 25 years have been a complete mock up