New training facility.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

I think was rumoured just before Christmas. Would be a good option if true. Must be one hell of a big space to fill though.

Quoted from forza ivano

I'd heard the same before Xmas  but it was felt to be unlikely as the site cost about £9 million n there were huge costs in levelling it and mitigations

Quoted from rancido

We might not need the whole site and seeing as AP is involved in property development (?) then there might be the opportunity for the club to sell on part and make some money.

Quoted from Oly1987

As a Town fan living in Immingham im conflicted. On the one hand it would be nice to have the lads training close by but on the other hand I'd rather see the site used for the Immingham community as the youngsters don't have an awful lot in Immingham.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

I think was rumoured just before Christmas. Would be a good option if true. Must be one hell of a big space to fill though.

Quoted from jimgtfc

The smell of pure sulphur from the refinery will do wonders for the players lungs

Quoted from jimgtfc

The smell of pure sulphur from the refinery will do wonders for the players lungs

Quoted from ginnywings

Hardly a community hub for GY, if it's to be in Immingham.

Doesn't make sense to me.

Quoted from Poojah

Keep the back 9 and give the players a private golf course, a la Leicester’s new facility. I’m not even joking; when you’re an unfashionable club stuck out on a limb on the east coast, you’ve got to take every marginal gain you can get.

Quoted from Poojah

Keep the back 9 and give the players a private golf course, a la Leicester’s new facility. I’m not even joking; when you’re an unfashionable club stuck out on a limb on the east coast, you’ve got to take every marginal gain you can get.

Quoted from Oly1987

As a Town fan living in Immingham im conflicted. On the one hand it would be nice to have the lads training close by but on the other hand I'd rather see the site used for the Immingham community as the youngsters don't have an awful lot in Immingham.

Quoted from promotion plaice

Get them in an extra day after a loss, we'd shoot up the table.

Quoted from DB

It looks good but it is not what we have been led to believe. 1878 said they wanted a training ground in Grimsby. This would be for the club and community. This site is not within the Grimsby boundary and is a fair distance for Grimsby folk to travel. Also we we were led to believe that a Parish Council was holding the job up, Immingham has a Town Council.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Ive lived in Habrough for 40 years and the smells are a thing of the distant past.

Immingham itself has improved enormously over the years and this would be another fillip if true.

Quoted from jimgtfc

That’s good to hear! I work in healthcare and the amount of people with respiratory conditions in the Immingham and Killingholme area compared to Grimsby and Cleethorpes is quite staggering.

Quoted from forza ivano

Just to point out that Immingham and it's immediate environs has a population of 15-20,000, so that's quite a lot of people who seem to have very little access to these sort of facilities

Quoted from diehardmariner

Wasn't the original plan of it sitting in Grimsby to serve as a community hub the one that didn't happen because agreements couldn't be made?

Can't hang 1878 out to happen if they couldn't get the purchase/planning/whatever over the line and have had to adjust.

Said at the time when training ground was originally raised that I didn't think trying to have it in Gy/Clee was the best approach, both in terms of saving players time travelling and also the lack of options available.  Immingham still ticks a lot of local boxes but is that bit further down the 180 to make it much, much more accessible for anyone travelling in (without making it too far a trek for local lads).  I still think 1878 will want some sort of community hub though in Gy/Clee and I don't think it has to sit hand in hand with a training ground, although a second one in Immingham (as part of the training ground) wouldn't be too radical really.

Interesting comment regard us not using all the site and redeveloping some of it, could be a huge money spinner/funding source?

Quoted from Kris2

I'm really not sure why a training ground also needs to be a community hub anyway, surely the important thing here is finding adequate land and improving the facilities, we don't need a community centre and leisure centre complex or whatever on top of it. A football club training ground doesn't really spark a feeling of community to me anyway, not everybody in the community cares about sports or this football club, what else are they expecting to use it for?

I've also never felt the need to drive over to Cheapside and lurk around watching the players train either so maybe I'm missing the appeal of needing the training ground to be accessible to anybody other than the players and staff.

Quoted from Kris2

I'm really not sure why a training ground also needs to be a community hub anyway, surely the important thing here is finding adequate land and improving the facilities, we don't need a community centre and leisure centre complex or whatever on top of it. A football club training ground doesn't really spark a feeling of community to me anyway, not everybody in the community cares about sports or this football club, what else are they expecting to use it for?

I've also never felt the need to drive over to Cheapside and lurk around watching the players train either so maybe I'm missing the appeal of needing the training ground to be accessible to anybody other than the players and staff.

Quoted from Kris2

I'm really not sure why a training ground also needs to be a community hub anyway, surely the important thing here is finding adequate land and improving the facilities, we don't need a community centre and leisure centre complex or whatever on top of it. A football club training ground doesn't really spark a feeling of community to me anyway, not everybody in the community cares about sports or this football club, what else are they expecting to use it for?

I've also never felt the need to drive over to Cheapside and lurk around watching the players train either so maybe I'm missing the appeal of needing the training ground to be accessible to anybody other than the players and staff.

Quoted from immariner

Grew up in Immingham. The town has been crying out for training facilities, particularly all-weather ones, since the leisure centre was bulldozed. My nephews' junior teams often travel through to Gy to access the facilities at Bradley so it would be fantastic if they give community access, which i'm sure they would want to. For those that don't know the area, it would be situated next to the 13th century St Andrews church and the Pilgrim monument park, a cute little area by local standards. They'll just have to make sure they bring any potential new players in to town at Stallingborough end and not Docks end! 😄 Two very different impressions of the place

Quoted from Mappers

Is The Bluestone still there ? Have not been that way on for about 20 years

Quoted from jamesgtfc

In terms of distance, Google Maps says it takes about 40 minutes from the services at the top of 180 to get to Immingham Golf Club. Cheapside is 55 minutes, without congestion. That's saving players 30 minutes a day, 2+ hours a week (based on 4 days training).

Quoted from Kris2

I'm really not sure why a training ground also needs to be a community hub anyway, surely the important thing here is finding adequate land and improving the facilities, we don't need a community centre and leisure centre complex or whatever on top of it. A football club training ground doesn't really spark a feeling of community to me anyway, not everybody in the community cares about sports or this football club, what else are they expecting to use it for?  

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I've long advocated for a training facility to have all the things that, in a perfect world, you get with a new stadium on a large site. Community pitches, meeting rooms, business hub - all the things we say we can never have at BP because of the lack of room, and the astronomical cost of a new stadium.

If we can secure a large enough site then we can develop it over time to include things that can be used 7 days a week.

I don't know if that is the plan for this particular site, or whether the new training ground will be just for the players, but if you can't get what you ideally want (a super duper all encompassing new stadium) then you have to look at other and cheaper options.

Quoted from Yoda

Immingham is probably the best of both worlds and it’s an easy commute from Leeds, Sheffield, Lincoln and Hull so location wise is great might persuade a few more to sign.
As it’s an old golf course there will be a more mature setting with trees and grounds so way better than just an open field.

Quoted from jimgtfc

The smell of pure sulphur from the refinery will do wonders for the players lungs

Quoted from forza ivano

possibly the only sensible post you've ever made.Good, interesting point about the mature setting - nicer place to be, but also should provide shelter from the wind, so making training more productive & pleasant

https://arsenalcolumn.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/arsenal-style-of-play-shaped-in-part-by-the-wind/

Quoted from White_shorts

I always assumed Stockwood and Pettit's plan was for the players to use the pitches and gym fitness equipment in the morning, and then open the facilities to the public in the afternoon and evening.

Quoted from Kris2

There are already plenty of facilities like that locally and I don't know of a single professional club that offers such a thing at their training ground. I'm sure somebody will name one though...Just leave out if it's some semi-pro club where all the staff are volunteers and they are desperate for money because those don't count.

Is this another one of those boomer pipe dreams people have where local kids will flock to the pitches and they'll magically discover local talent that will fill the team with local players who have that good ol Grimsby grit that will surely take us back to former glory? Otherwise I think the Trin and other such facilities already provide all that for kids.

Quoted from Kris2

There are already plenty of facilities like that locally and I don't know of a single professional club that offers such a thing at their training ground. I'm sure somebody will name one though...Just leave out if it's some semi-pro club where all the staff are volunteers and they are desperate for money because those don't count.

Is this another one of those boomer pipe dreams people have where local kids will flock to the pitches and they'll magically discover local talent that will fill the team with local players who have that good ol Grimsby grit that will surely take us back to former glory? Otherwise I think the Trin and other such facilities already provide all that for kids.

Quoted from marinerjase

It sure why it’s so hard to get your head around that the training facility (should/when it happen) will cost so much, owners don’t have bottomless pit or investors/sponsors yet - and said training facility if only used by club/youth/women’s/academies would be sat vacant for a proportion of the day. Know only too well the demand for pitches, particularly sept to April - so opening any up to public/clubs is common sense. Don’t understand why anyone would whinge at that in all honesty..

Quoted from pen penfras

If we don't have investors yet, I can't see them coming any time soon. We've failed to capitalise on momentum and opportunities yet again.

The smug[b][/b] statements of refusing investments because we don't need them are going to mean Stockwood needs to put his hand in his pocket to deliver the training ground he promised.

Quoted from pen penfras

If we don't have investors yet, I can't see them coming any time soon. We've failed to capitalise on momentum and opportunities yet again.

The smug statements of refusing investments because we don't need them are going to mean Stockwood needs to put his hand in his pocket to deliver the training ground he promised.

Quoted from pen penfras

If we don't have investors yet, I can't see them coming any time soon. We've failed to capitalise on momentum and opportunities yet again.

The smug statements of refusing investments because we don't need them are going to mean Stockwood needs to put his hand in his pocket to deliver the training ground he promised.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

How could you ask anyone to invest at a point in time when there was a burden of so called “benign” debt” hanging around the clubs neck to be repaid?

I can see it now 1878 saying “ we’d like you to invest but to save time cut us out & give your cash straight to John”.

After 2 decades of penny pinching & patching up it’s not like the property portfolio is worth investing in is it?

Quoted from GrimPol

When you say "Investors" do you mean   A) Investment is the act of allocating resources, usually money, with the expectation of generating an income or profit.  You hopefully take back more than you put in.  Or B) Input of money, which will be taken out in the future with no extras, or C) A Gift.

Personally, I can't see people lining up for A as we are losing money, so how do we pay back with interest Investments? Lets hope for B) and C) people.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

How could you ask anyone to invest at a point in time when there was a burden of so called “benign” debt” hanging around the clubs neck to be repaid?

I can see it now 1878 saying “ we’d like you to invest but to save time cut us out & give your cash straight to John”.

After 2 decades of penny pinching & patching up it’s not like the property portfolio is worth investing in is it?

Quoted from GibMariner

Are we loosing money. According to the chair YES!!! think he said a mill this season or needs to put in an extra mill. So what kind of debt is that then?. He said he would want his money back. Are they interest bearing loans. That would increase the debt never as before.

Not having a go at all. BUT THIS

We made a profit for many years under the previous, evidenced by accounts that were a public record scrutinised by shareholders, fans and under the strict  code of  PLC accounting principles. I would say that’s pretty investable.

What do we really know now? Nothing except what we hear from the chair. No relo, no training ground news, no money, no investors, one out one in and we need another mill to see the season out.

Never has the clubs seen such income, fan support, promotion, great cup run, player transfer income!!! ALL THAT MONEY where has it gone. Oh and plus the 800k was it in the bank at conception.

It’s a private business but that’s progress favoured by vocals as we push up the league’s with Selwyns  black and white army. Me hopes 👍👍

Should we be worried 😟 I am.

I think it’s not Magic our Morris but more smoke and mirrors

Quoted from GibMariner

Are we loosing money. According to the chair YES!!! think he said a mill this season or needs to put in an extra mill. So what kind of debt is that then?. He said he would want his money back. Are they interest bearing loans. That would increase the debt never as before.

Not having a go at all. BUT THIS

We made a profit for many years under the previous, evidenced by accounts that were a public record scrutinised by shareholders, fans and under the strict  code of  PLC accounting principles. I would say that’s pretty investable.

What do we really know now? Nothing except what we hear from the chair. No relo, no training ground news, no money, no investors, one out one in and we need another mill to see the season out.

Never has the clubs seen such income, fan support, promotion, great cup run, player transfer income!!! ALL THAT MONEY where has it gone. Oh and plus the 800k was it in the bank at conception.

It’s a private business but that’s progress favoured by vocals as we push up the league’s with Selwyns  black and white army. Me hopes 👍👍

Should we be worried 😟 I am.

I think it’s not Magic our Morris but more smoke and mirrors

Quoted from GibMariner

Are we loosing money. According to the chair YES!!! think he said a mill this season or needs to put in an extra mill. So what kind of debt is that then?. He said he would want his money back. Are they interest bearing loans. That would increase the debt never as before.

Not having a go at all. BUT THIS

We made a profit for many years under the previous, evidenced by accounts that were a public record scrutinised by shareholders, fans and under the strict  code of  PLC accounting principles. I would say that’s pretty investable.

What do we really know now? Nothing except what we hear from the chair. No relo, no training ground news, no money, no investors, one out one in and we need another mill to see the season out.

Never has the clubs seen such income, fan support, promotion, great cup run, player transfer income!!! ALL THAT MONEY where has it gone. Oh and plus the 800k was it in the bank at conception.

It’s a private business but that’s progress favoured by vocals as we push up the league’s with Selwyns  black and white army. Me hopes 👍👍

Should we be worried 😟 I am.

I think it’s not Magic our Morris but more smoke and mirrors

Quoted from GibMariner

We made a profit for many years under the previous, evidenced by accounts that were a public record scrutinised by shareholders, fans and under the strict  code of  PLC accounting principles. I would say that’s pretty investable.

Quoted from Bristol Mariner

Yea John

Quoted from GibMariner

Wish I was a penny behind him. 😊😊

I write with concern after threading together things coming out of the club.

The fact is the club was viable and not now according to the chair.

The fact is it’s not sustainable which is not consistent with the chair’s values !! and it could be living beyond its means.

Without facts I simply put it out there based upon what comes out of the club.

Quoted from mariner91

At the expense of the infrastructure, the league position and the reputation of the football club. But at least we made a small profit each season.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

You’re cherry picking to creative a narrative.

Couple of bits,

- Under Fenty the accounts may have looked neat but the our position in the pyramid was lower than it had been in a century

- Under that regime loyal hard working supporters spent £££££‘s having to endure relegations, false hope, poor facilities and a match day experience that sat in the 1920s.

- Whilst we had to put up with the above JSF bullied people out of shares, alienating countless stakeholders in the process but still found the due diligence to line his pension pot.

If you think we were “investable” then your wife needs to get power of attorney over your finances I suspect.

A few other bits,

Where has a lot of income gone?

- Paying Fenty back

- Chespside that was starved of credibility due to a cheap skate

- £300K+ provision in the accounts for the Main Stand

- Other costs to patch up BP that had been denied for the best part of 2 decades.

- Building footballing expertise infrastructure that will I believe progress us.

There’s loads more to be honest.

Just a point though about the £800k in the bank, that’s arguably the biggest smokescreen as that was cash flow and not positive reserves or net assets. Technically that cash belonged to the business & couldn’t be distributed to directors anyway, if it could do you think John would have left it behind as a welcome gift?

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

The only reason the club is losing money now is because of Fenty, can you not understand that?...
New pontoon roof, essential safety works to the main stand, BP drainage, cheapside pitch n facilities dropping to bits needed major surgery!..
You see, we were sustainable because he spent nothing on the club whilst lining his pockets with a healthy pension pot and robbing shares from the trust, oh and let's not forget the £1.5m loan he wanted back!! .

Quoted from GibMariner

Ok I get the narrative. But does it really fit.

The fact is the club has always maintained a safety certificate without the sensation / fuss inferred today. If the new owners chose to make investments in vanity projects like glass screens in the upper and the idea of removing a few posts in the main, which as an engineer I cannot fathom, but its their prarogative. And presumably rather than maintain the Pony roof, instead to fit the idea of none relocation, it was maybe felt good money spent for the long term . Ask the owners I prefer not to speculate.

Oh and repayment of loans doesn’t hit the balance sheet or affect profit.

Oh and by the way the pitch remains a mess JT mentioned it in a recent game and I we are not through the bad wether.      

Happy to blame the previous for all-SORTS but after three years, the argument it’s all Fenty’s fault cannot be taken seriously.  

We don’t even know if there is a problem because we haven seen the accounts. As mentioned in my first post I only thread together what’s coming from the chair/club. No axe to grind but remain concerned.

Quoted from GibMariner

Ok I get the narrative. But does it really fit.

The fact is the club has always maintained a safety certificate without the sensation / fuss inferred today. If the new owners chose to make investments in vanity projects like glass screens in the upper and the idea of removing a few posts in the main, which as an engineer I cannot fathom, but its their prarogative. And presumably rather than maintain the Pony roof, instead to fit the idea of none relocation, it was maybe felt good money spent for the long term . Ask the owners I prefer not to speculate.

Oh and repayment of loans doesn’t hit the balance sheet or affect profit.

Oh and by the way the pitch remains a mess JT mentioned it in a recent game and I we are not through the bad wether.      

Happy to blame the previous for all-SORTS but after three years, the argument it’s all Fenty’s fault cannot be taken seriously.  

We don’t even know if there is a problem because we haven seen the accounts. As mentioned in my first post I only thread together what’s coming from the chair/club. No axe to grind but remain concerned.

Quoted from GibMariner

Happy to blame the previous for all-SORTS but after three years, the argument it’s all Fenty’s fault cannot be taken seriously.  

Quoted from paulmblythe

Surely as an engineer you'd understand the term end of life regarding the main stand columns? Also in the hundred plus years since they where installed materials and engineering practices have evolved. If the structural engineers can calculate that the roof can safely be supported by less columns thats a win for the fans too surely?

As regards the pitch. While not perfect its a damn sight better than it has been in my living memory. I'm pretty sure theres at least 1 game this season that would have been called off last season and in previous seasons due to the rain. the Findus stand side has far more grass on it than it usually does this time of year

as for the safety certificate its my understanding that at least 2 stands would have been condemned in the last couple of seasons due to lack of preventative maintenance, i cant help but feel that the sale of the club and the work needed on the stadium is not a coincidence....

Quoted from GibMariner

Not seen you post before but welcome.

Not sure what you are trying to justify.

I have no axe to grind, and see no plausible evidence to think the wooden structure and related supporting posts / columns are requiring replacement, and accept that’s entirely a matter for the current administration, equally I don’t accept the ‘term end of life’. Do you have such evidence as there are no signs of subsidence or any other such failure - the post, made of wood and steel,  would has rotted and the steel work suffered with Chloride pitting corrosion(and before you say anything, I'm an integrity engineer in the petrochemicals so this is my bread n butter). Therefore they needed replacement/repair.

Again where’s the evidance 2 stands would have been condemned but for routine anual maintenance - see above.

If you missed it. AP acknowledged in a recent interview that they were aware of the 10 year structural report when acquiring the club - AP acknowledged the requirements for a 10 year report which they had done and they were shocked by the recommendations and requirements to get the stands and ground up to a suitable standard.

Your final point. Was it not the case that the new owners negotiated publicly their wish to acquire / force the sale of the club to them - nobody bar JSF forced the sale, Fenty copulated up trying to bring a conman into the club (and council for that matter) and was forced to sell up. Luckily AP, JS and TS put a consortium to save the club from near ruin. You must think investment into the future of the club is a bad thing and Fenty did a fantastic job, honestly, wake up and smell the coffee, the club is the best shape its been in for 25+ years!!..

However, I do understand that  these facts may not fit the narrative!!!

Quoted from GibMariner

Wish I was a penny behind him. 😊😊

I write with concern after threading together things coming out of the club.

The fact is the club was viable and not now according to the chair.

The fact is it’s not sustainable which is not consistent with the chair’s values !! and it could be living beyond its means.

Without facts I simply put it out there based upon what comes out of the club.

Quoted from GibMariner

Ok I get the narrative. But does it really fit.

The fact is the club has always maintained a safety certificate without the sensation / fuss inferred today. If the new owners chose to make investments in vanity projects like glass screens in the upper and the idea of removing a few posts in the main, which as an engineer I cannot fathom, but its their prarogative. And presumably rather than maintain the Pony roof, instead to fit the idea of none relocation, it was maybe felt good money spent for the long term . Ask the owners I prefer not to speculate.

Oh and repayment of loans doesn’t hit the balance sheet or affect profit.

Oh and by the way the pitch remains a mess JT mentioned it in a recent game and I we are not through the bad wether.      

Happy to blame the previous for all-SORTS but after three years, the argument it’s all Fenty’s fault cannot be taken seriously.  

We don’t even know if there is a problem because we haven seen the accounts. As mentioned in my first post I only thread together what’s coming from the chair/club. No axe to grind but remain concerned.

Quoted from GibMariner

Ok I get the narrative. But does it really fit.

The fact is the club has always maintained a safety certificate without the sensation / fuss inferred today. If the new owners chose to make investments in vanity projects like glass screens in the upper and the idea of removing a few posts in the main, which as an engineer I cannot fathom, but its their prarogative. And presumably rather than maintain the Pony roof, instead to fit the idea of none relocation, it was maybe felt good money spent for the long term . Ask the owners I prefer not to speculate.

Oh and repayment of loans doesn’t hit the balance sheet or affect profit.

Oh and by the way the pitch remains a mess JT mentioned it in a recent game and I we are not through the bad wether.      

Happy to blame the previous for all-SORTS but after three years, the argument it’s all Fenty’s fault cannot be taken seriously.  

We don’t even know if there is a problem because we haven seen the accounts. As mentioned in my first post I only thread together what’s coming from the chair/club. No axe to grind but remain concerned.

Quoted from GibMariner

Not seen you post before but welcome.

Not sure what you are trying to justify.

I have no axe to grind, and see no plausible evidence to think the wooden structure and related supporting posts / columns are requiring replacement, and accept that’s entirely a matter for the current administration, equally I don’t accept the ‘term end of life’. Do you have such evidence as there are no signs of subsidence or any other such failure.

Again where’s the evidance 2 stands would have been condemned but for routine anual maintenance.

If you missed it. AP acknowledged in a recent interview that they were aware of the 10 year structural report when acquiring the club.

Your final point. Was it not the case that the new owners negotiated publicly their wish to acquire / force the sale of the club to them.

However, I do understand that  these facts may not fit the narrative!!!

Quoted from GibMariner

Ok I get the narrative. But does it really fit.

The fact is the club has always maintained a safety certificate without the sensation / fuss inferred today. If the new owners chose to make investments in vanity projects like glass screens in the upper and the idea of removing a few posts in the main, which as an engineer I cannot fathom, but its their prarogative. And presumably rather than maintain the Pony roof, instead to fit the idea of none relocation, it was maybe felt good money spent for the long term . Ask the owners I prefer not to speculate.

Oh and repayment of loans doesn’t hit the balance sheet or affect profit.

Oh and by the way the pitch remains a mess JT mentioned it in a recent game and I we are not through the bad wether.      

Happy to blame the previous for all-SORTS but after three years, the argument it’s all Fenty’s fault cannot be taken seriously.  

We don’t even know if there is a problem because we haven seen the accounts. As mentioned in my first post I only thread together what’s coming from the chair/club. No axe to grind but remain concerned.

Quoted from GibMariner

Not seen you post before but welcome.

Not sure what you are trying to justify.

I have no axe to grind, and see no plausible evidence to think the wooden structure and related supporting posts / columns are requiring replacement, and accept that’s entirely a matter for the current administration, equally I don’t accept the ‘term end of life’. Do you have such evidence as there are no signs of subsidence or any other such failure.

Again where’s the evidance 2 stands would have been condemned but for routine anual maintenance.

If you missed it. AP acknowledged in a recent interview that they were aware of the 10 year structural report when acquiring the club.

Your final point. Was it not the case that the new owners negotiated publicly their wish to acquire / force the sale of the club to them.

However, I do understand that  these facts may not fit the narrative!!!

Quoted from crusty ole pie

You don’t need to be an engineer, an expect in ground safety, or a club owner to notice that the bloody stand is dangerous ( fire risk) not fit for purpose and been badly starved of any love and care for a very long time