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https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/-201920-pre-season-fixtures-announced/

Cleethorpes Town (A) - Saturday 6th July - 3:00pm kick off

Grantham Town (A) - Tuesday 9th July - 7:30pm kick off

Boston United (A) - Thursday 11th July - 7:30pm kick off

Gainsborough Trinity (A) - Thursday 18th July - 7:30pm kick off

Doncaster Rovers (H) - Saturday 20th July - 12:00pm kick off

Scarborough Athletic (A) - Tuesday 23rd July - 7:30pm kick off

Peterborough United (H) - Saturday 27th July - 3:00pm kick off

Community Open Day - Sunday 28th July - 10:30am start

By the looks of that list, whether it's season ticket sales, pre-season friendlies or whatever..

The club is just stuck in a perpetual, "same as we've always done" mode..

What a boring and repetitive list of fixtures. Nothing for fans to get excited about, no big name club, no pre season tour or "god help the logistics" .. something abroad..

We must be the most "old-school" boring football club in the whole EFL..

Same old, same old, season after season, no creative thinking, nothing to get excited about. It's not like they're working from a winning formula when it comes to sparking some interest is it?

Edit

And I've just seen on Twitter.. GTFC and Clee Town getting together to promote the pre-season friendly. Jesus Christ.. is that what we've become?!!! It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out..

Quoted from Bigdog

By the looks of that list, whether it's season ticket sales, pre-season friendlies or whatever..

The club is just stuck in a perpetual, "same as we've always done" mode..

What a boring and repetitive list of fixtures. Nothing for fans to get excited about, no big name club, no pre season tour or "god help the logistics" .. something abroad..

We must be the most "old-school" boring football club in the whole EFL..

Same old, same old, season after season, no creative thinking, nothing to get excited about. It's not like they're working from a winning formula when it comes to sparking some interest is it?

We could always invite Sheff Utd over. What could go wrong?

Lets hope the signings match that exciting list!! :B

Quoted from Bigdog

By the looks of that list, whether it's season ticket sales, pre-season friendlies or whatever..

The club is just stuck in a perpetual, "same as we've always done" mode..

What a boring and repetitive list of fixtures. Nothing for fans to get excited about, no big name club, no pre season tour or "god help the logistics" .. something abroad..

We must be the most "old-school" boring football club in the whole EFL..

Same old, same old, season after season, no creative thinking, nothing to get excited about. It's not like they're working from a winning formula when it comes to sparking some interest is it?

Really not just about the pre-season games though, just one of a massive list of unchanged club rituals. Just sat on their arrses doing the same thing time and time again. It's sleepwalking madness..

Can anyone tell me anything that the club is doing differently with anything since we last fell from grace? It's either complacency, laziness or just a lack of ability. I feel it in my bones that we're going to fall into the abyss again. I don't want to feel this way at all, but I'm worried, really worried..

We've failed for nearly twenty years and I can't see a smidgeon of change throughout all that time.. it's pretty disturbing to be honest.. It's like we're goading the Conference to come and take us for good.

Quoted from Bigdog

Really not just about the pre-season games though, just one of a massive list of unchanged club rituals..

Can anyone tell me anything that the club is doing differently with anything since we last fell from grace? It's either complacency, laziness or just a lack of ability. I feel it in my bones that we're going to fall into the abyss again. I don't want to feel this way at all, but I'm worried, really worried..

We've failed for nearly twenty years and I can't see a smidgeon of change from back then.. it's pretty disturbing to be honest.. It's like we're goading the Conference to come and take us for good.

To be honest, I'm not that arsed about pre-season games. However, I do have concerns which I've aired. I think the transfer window will show us which way the wind is blowing. So, I'm going to reserve judgement until August. Rest assured I will not hold back then if my fears are realised. Put simply, we cannot face this season with the same outlook, a flimsy budget and a hope that there will be two teams worse than us.

Quoted from 140381

To be honest, I'm not that arsed about pre-season games. However, I do have concerns which I've aired. I think the transfer window will show us which way the wind is blowing. So, I'm going to reserve judgement until August. Rest assured I will not hold back then if my fears are realised. Put simply, we cannot face this season with the same outlook, a flimsy budget and a hope that there will be two teams worse than us.

Fair assessment Dazza.

Funny thing is I'll get hammered as being a doom monger but in reality it's the people propping up the poor status quo are the real negative individuals and do the future of the club a disservice. Always speak my mind positive or negative and always with the best interests of the club at heart and I've got a really bad feeling about this season and I'm never usually too far wrong. Plenty of indicators pointing to a struggle..

Just a bit of inventiveness in the pre-season schedule would have given me a bit of evidence of the senior operatives at GTFC trying to change, but it seems like they're always going to be set in their ways with everything and that can only point one way for the club..

Exciting set of pre season games ..NOT

Quoted from Bigdog

Fair assessment Dazza.

Funny thing is I'll get hammered as being a doom monger but in reality it's the people propping up the poor status quo are the real negative individuals and do the future of the club a disservice. Always speak my mind positive or negative and always with the best interests of the club at heart and I've got a really bad feeling about this season and I'm never usually too far wrong. Plenty of indicators pointing to a struggle..

Just a bit of inventiveness in the pre-season schedule would have given me a bit of evidence of the senior operatives at GTFC trying to change, but it seems like they're always going to be set in their ways with everything and that can only point one way for the club..

Yes but far from being a doom monger you are saying exactly what others of us have said to people who it was felt where capable of influence and change . This set of fixtures plus numerous other things that have remained the same suggest any dialouge regarding change is a complete and utter waste of time .Nothing will change til either the board leave or they have a massive change of direction to the past 15-20 years and sadly neither look likely . A slow death in footballing terms awaits the ONLY thing they (the board) are holding out for is some footballing fortune ala Bogle x 10 or an even more unlikely cup run . High time they took hold of things they can control and improve on like the day to day running of the Club and the matchday experience but they wont because they dont have the desire or expertise.

Really not sure what people expect.

If we get a premiership team it’s only going to be their youth team, and if we get a championship team then it’s likely to be half youths with a few seniors.

We have got games against 2 sides in the league above to give us a proper workout as I assume (willing to be slapped down if this doesn’t happen) that being close to the season start they will bring pretty much their first team, and a few of the usual games to try and get fitness up to the level required and try different players and systems.

UTFM

Quoted from Posh Harry

Really not sure what people expect.

If we get a premiership team it’s only going to be their youth team, and if we get a championship team then it’s likely to be half youths with a few seniors.

We have got games against 2 sides in the league above to give us a proper workout as I assume (willing to be slapped down if this doesn’t happen) that being close to the season start they will bring pretty much their first team, and a few of the usual games to try and get fitness up to the level required and try different players and systems.

UTFM

The Ibiza tournament,The Devon one etc something good that can bond the team and fans . A request went in to pursue a game vs FC Aalst over a year ago through the correct channels and whilst I fully accept it`s Jolleys call on how to prepare his team best that list reads to me like Town at there penny pinching best?

Quoted from Posh Harry

Really not sure what people expect.

If we get a premiership team it’s only going to be their youth team, and if we get a championship team then it’s likely to be half youths with a few seniors.

We have got games against 2 sides in the league above to give us a proper workout as I assume (willing to be slapped down if this doesn’t happen) that being close to the season start they will bring pretty much their first team, and a few of the usual games to try and get fitness up to the level required and try different players and systems.

UTFM

You could have got for example Notts Forest and marketed it 2 times former European Champions . Totally irrilevent today of course but it still sells Peterborough FFS

Cant wait for them😳

Quoted from 1mickylyons

The Ibiza tournament,The Devon one etc something good that can bond the team and fans . A request went in to pursue a game vs FC Aalst over a year ago through the correct channels and whilst I fully accept it`s Jolleys call on how to prepare his team best that list reads to me like Town at there penny pinching best?

Might help bonding the team and fans (not sure how many went to Devon?) but after Ibiza we were relegated in 2003-04 and Devon was organised by our Russ and we almost got relegated. All that matters is Jolley prepares the side properly for the coming season. Sure the last time we played Peterborough at home in a friendly we were promoted. It was just as unimaginative a fixture then but I am not sure many where saying at Wembley that day do you remember how dull our pre-season was this year?

It’s not the fixtures themselves it’s more the predictability of them all. Various Lincolnshire clubs away. South Yorkshire club at home. Midlands club at home. Yes they’re predominantly for fitness but a tour or anything to break the monotony would be nice. I won’t be rushing back until the season starts properly - and that’s only if I buy a season ticket.

Quoted from Malta_Mariner_90

Might help bonding the team and fans (not sure how many went to Devon?) but after Ibiza we were relegated in 2003-04 and Devon was organised by our Russ and we almost got relegated. All that matters is Jolley prepares the side properly for the coming season. Sure the last time we played Peterborough at home in a friendly we were promoted. It was just as unimaginative a fixture then but I am not sure many where saying at Wembley that day do you remember how dull our pre-season was this year?

Take your points and yes they are valid the whole point is to ready the team for the Season starting. However I stuck Forest up as an example they would bring 1500 fans and Donny,P`boro might but neither will attract extra home fans they don`t get people wanting to attend. I just think were being lazy as per usual sticking to our tried and tested format . On the hand maybe Town feel obliged to play Clee to give them a payday and in that case morally the Club have done a good deed but I am only interested in GTFC.

The purpose of pre season friendlies is to prepare the players for the season, not to have glamour games. If anything, playing a top side is not the right preparation as players may raise their game for an occasion. We want players who give 100% against Scarborough and Donny.

Scunny have got Leicester and West Brom @ home and including a training camp at La Manga in Spain.

Oh how the other half live eh.

The Aalst suggestion is good, tapping into any Scandinavian source is a great idea
Given our connections via Ring and Ohman and MJ's connections in general why not build some bridges with Sweden. Take a look at some of their home grown players into the bargain.

Quoted from LondonMariner43

The purpose of pre season friendlies is to prepare the players for the season, not to have glamour games. If anything, playing a top side is not the right preparation as players may raise their game for an occasion. We want players who give 100% against Scarborough and Donny.

Hmmmm well whatever we did last Pre Season saw us stuffed 1-4 at home to FGR so I hope were better prepared this time.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Take your points and yes they are valid the whole point is to ready the team for the Season starting. However I stuck Forest up as an example they would bring 1500 fans and Donny,P`boro might but neither will attract extra home fans they don`t get people wanting to attend. I just think were being lazy as per usual sticking to our tried and tested format . On the hand maybe Town feel obliged to play Clee to give them a payday and in that case morally the Club have done a good deed but I am only interested in GTFC.

Cannot argue with that. But as many have mentioned on here lately the club has long adopted a laissez faire approach to its number 1 revenue stream.

As you indicate a couple of Saturday friendly's against some of the better supported Championship sides would bring in plenty of away fans. But perhaps it is also up to Jolley as well?

I am assuming here that the board do not dictate to him the list of friendly matches in a take it or leave it style. Maybe Jolley really wants a game against Peterborough. Probably better to play a decent L1 side in terms of preparing for the season than playing a Championship side who might beat us easily.

If that is the case probably limits the available sides who will bring a decent following.

No, it's not just about getting the team ready imho. It's an opportunity for the club to sell itself. It's for the fans to get excited about seeing something they may not see usually. I remember 6000 being at bp to watch town v Liverpool reserves and at school 'everyone' was talking about it. It's about the marketing department getting their act together and getting a few extra £££ into the player budget.

Quoted from Posh Harry

Really not sure what people expect.

If we get a premiership team it’s only going to be their youth team, and if we get a championship team then it’s likely to be half youths with a few seniors.

We have got games against 2 sides in the league above to give us a proper workout as I assume (willing to be slapped down if this doesn’t happen) that being close to the season start they will bring pretty much their first team, and a few of the usual games to try and get fitness up to the level required and try different players and systems.

UTFM

Difference between what I hope for and what I expect.

I expect a dull, unimaginative football club and I hope for some progressive, forward-thinking and up-to-date marketing.

Needless to say I get what I expect and still hope for the best.

Quoted from Malta_Mariner_90

Cannot argue with that. But as many have mentioned on here lately the club has long adopted a laissez faire approach to its number 1 revenue stream.

As you indicate a couple of Saturday friendly's against some of the better supported Championship sides would bring in plenty of away fans. But perhaps it is also up to Jolley as well?

I am assuming here that the board do not dictate to him the list of friendly matches in a take it or leave it style. Maybe Jolley really wants a game against Peterborough. Probably better to play a decent L1 side in terms of preparing for the season than playing a Championship side who might beat us easily.

If that is the case probably limits the available sides who will bring a decent following.

Yes if soley down to the Manager and this is his chosen fixtures whilst I personally am underwhelmed I would support his logic if he is looking at results for a yardstick.From a GTFC point of view a high profile fixture would bring in extra home fans and boost revenue and create some interest .I don`t recall pre season games ever drawing in good numbers til possibly the last game before the Season starts I think we played Leeds one year and 5-6k attended I doubt more than 3k ever since and usually the games attract 12-1800.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

No, it's not just about getting the team ready imho. It's an opportunity for the club to sell itself. It's for the fans to get excited about seeing something they may not see usually. I remember 6000 being at bp to watch town v Liverpool reserves and at school 'everyone' was talking about it. It's about the marketing department getting their act together and getting a few extra £££ into the player budget.

I thought it was 4k but yes it created a huge buzz at the time we then like now were languishing in Div 2 and it brought in a far higher attendence than the league games played around the same time.

I do not expect big prem teams to come and play us at home,

But

Hull would be a decent game and with the sale of our young striker Middleborough might have been asked to play us pre season,

Quoted from 1mickylyons

You could have got for example Notts Forest and marketed it 2 times former European Champions . Totally irrilevent today of course but it still sells Peterborough FFS

I think thats what we have done, We have Forest and Stoke.

Quoted from grimsby pete

I do not expect big prem teams to come and play us at home,

But

Hull would be a decent game and with the sale of our young striker Middleborough might have been asked to play us pre season,

Times change Pete but I remember us playing Southampton in I think a testomonial game and they had several internationals coming to play. Nearly everyone from school went to that game and only a few of us were regular Town fans it creates a buzz.

Quoted from Bigdog

By the looks of that list, whether it's season ticket sales, pre-season friendlies or whatever..

The club is just stuck in a perpetual, "same as we've always done" mode..

What a boring and repetitive list of fixtures. Nothing for fans to get excited about, no big name club, no pre season tour or "god help the logistics" .. something abroad..

We must be the most "old-school" boring football club in the whole EFL..

Same old, same old, season after season, no creative thinking, nothing to get excited about. It's not like they're working from a winning formula when it comes to sparking some interest is it?

Edit

And I've just seen on Twitter.. GTFC and Clee Town getting together to promote the pre-season friendly. Jesus Christ.. is that what we've become?!!! It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out..

Whilst it's not a particularly inspiring list, it's not as bad as you're making out. Doncaster and Peterborough are good games with a few easier games to get us up to full fitness. Peterborough might be something to do with the Dembele sale, maybe we keep all the gate receipts, and they're unquestionably better than us so it's a good work out.

We've played Sunderland, Derby, Sheff Utd, Doncaster, Barnsley and Hull in recent seasons. They're decent fixtures and good preparation in that all were at a higher level than us and are bigger clubs within reasonable travelling distance.

It's also got to be a large part to do with Jolley rather than anybody else. Last season we hardly played any friendlies because that's what he thought worked for Burnley. This season we have lots more. I'm sure Jolley gets a big say in who we play and from what level.

I don't think a tour is any more inspiring for the majority of supporters, although from a team bonding point of view it could be. Premier league and even championship teams play a much higher percentage of their games abroad now, because that does more for their bank balance than playing lower league football clubs. Even if we did play one, it would be mostly youngsters because they don't see us as a good enough standard to play the first team.

Ah good, something different for people to moan at 😒

Looks like juniors for Lincs Cup game/s. (Gainsborough at home!)

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

I think thats what we have done, We have Forest and Stoke.

Well you`ll be doing it all wrong you lad`s down the 46 ;)

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Times change Pete but I remember us playing Southampton in I think a testomonial game and they had several internationals coming to play. Nearly everyone from school went to that game and only a few of us were regular Town fans it creates a buzz.

Was it's Kev Moore testimonial?

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

I think thats what we have done, We have Forest and Stoke.

Are you marketing Stoke as "the now Oldest Football League Club in the world" now Notts C are gone? ;)

While I for one am staggered that we didn’t get Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man U or someone to come to our out of the way, end of the line town with recent episodes of pre season fan violence and one of the worst disciplinary records in the league....

Get real people. All lower league / non league teams want attractive pre season fixtures but think we are well down the list of teams the big boys want to play.

Quoted from psgmariner

While I for one am staggered that we didn’t get Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man U or someone to come to our out of the way, end of the line town with recent episodes of pre season fan violence and one of the worst disciplinary records in the league....

Get real people. All lower league / non league teams want attractive pre season fixtures but think we are well down the list of teams the big boys want to play.

I have to agree we have been non league for 6 years followed by struggling near the bottom of L2 for the last 2 years so we are not an attractive fixture for anybody,

If we have a real good season with maybe a promotion then expect more teams wanting a game next pre season.

Another season of struggle them expect the same old next year.

Quoted from psgmariner

While I for one am staggered that we didn’t get Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man U or someone to come to our out of the way, end of the line town with recent episodes of pre season fan violence and one of the worst disciplinary records in the league....

Get real people. All lower league / non league teams want attractive pre season fixtures but think we are well down the list of teams the big boys want to play.

Well that`s me told .

Quoted from The Yard Dog

Was it's Kev Moore testimonial?

I believe so got really foggy and I think Peter Shilton was the main star possibly a very young and unknown Le Tissier and Wallace brothers?

Quoted from psgmariner

While I for one am staggered that we didn’t get Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man U or someone to come to our out of the way, end of the line town with recent episodes of pre season fan violence and one of the worst disciplinary records in the league....

Get real people. All lower league / non league teams want attractive pre season fixtures but think we are well down the list of teams the big boys want to play.

THAT Sheff Utd game I can`t disagree with it was nailed on for serious trouble and hopefully lesson learned.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Well that`s me told .

How dare you expect us to play someone as massive as Barnsley or Forest at home in a pre season friendly. Don't you realise how tiny a club we now are? ;)

Quoted from Malta_Mariner_90

How dare you expect us to play someone as massive as Barnsley or Forest at home in a pre season friendly. Don't you realise how tiny a club we now are? ;)

This is true still at the rate were shrinking I will be intercourse off grateful for these games in 10 years.

Until we see what sort of budget jolley looks to be getting its probably a bit early to be doom mongering but entirely understandable

Quoted from 1mickylyons

This is true still at the rate were shrinking I will be intercourse off grateful for these games in 10 years.

The way we’re going mate, in 10 years time Cleethorpes and Gainsborough fans will be moaning about playing us ;)

No real complaints from me. Seems to be a theme of building relationships with accessible clubs in terms of future loans for younger squad members.
Macho boot camps in the heat are not good practice. Playing on Cleethorpes dusty pitch last year was an endurance test that Welsh and Fox failed miserably. It was clear that Koki, Collins and a few others had not let their levels collapse over May and June.
Also, please spare us endless videos of sweaty training sessions.

Quoted from brigg_mariner

Scunny have got Leicester and West Brom @ home and including a training camp at La Manga in Spain.

Oh how the other half live eh.

Bet they haven't got a new portakabin though...

In all seriousness, pre-season is more about fitness, game time etc, not playing a good team and getting hammered 4-0.

Pre-season games should be kept to a minimum imo.

Injuries usually wipe out a few of the players to be able to contribute to the opening games of the seasons and, therefore, counter productive to a good start.

Plus, too many games means that players have run out of steam by the time the season starts.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Take your points and yes they are valid the whole point is to ready the team for the Season starting. However I stuck Forest up as an example they would bring 1500 fans and Donny,P`boro might but neither will attract extra home fans they don`t get people wanting to attend. I just think were being lazy as per usual sticking to our tried and tested format . On the hand maybe Town feel obliged to play Clee to give them a payday and in that case morally the Club have done a good deed but I am only interested in GTFC.

I seriously doubt they would even bring half that number, we are a bottom half of League Two team. We didn't get much more than 1,500 when we played them in the Cham,pionshiop (yes I know the away end was full).

Is this the first time we've played Scarborough since the debut of Abdul?

Quoted from Teestogreen

Pre-season games should be kept to a minimum imo.

Injuries usually wipe out a few of the players to be able to contribute to the opening games of the seasons and, therefore, counter productive to a good start.

Plus, too many games means that players have run out of steam by the time the season starts.

Isn't that what we did last season?

Worked against FGR😞

Quoted from Malta_Mariner_90

Are you marketing Stoke as "the now Oldest Football League Club in the world" now Notts C are gone? ;)

Lincoln Vs Stoke ;

The Neck Ache Derby

The Corner Routine Derby

The Who's got the most effective long throw in derby

not one for the purists !!

Quoted from moosey_club

Lincoln Vs Stoke ;

The Neck Ache Derby

The Corner Routine Derby

The Who's got the most effective long throw in derby

not one for the purists !!

The Gamesmanship Derby?

Other than getting a bit of fitness most pre season games are pointless anyway.

Quoted from SteffiMariner

I seriously doubt they would even bring half that number, we are a bottom half of League Two team. We didn't get much more than 1,500 when we played them in the Cham,pionshiop (yes I know the away end was full).

Sheff U brought over 2k so why wouldnt Forest?

Quoted from LondonMariner43

The purpose of pre season friendlies is to prepare the players for the season, not to have glamour games. If anything, playing a top side is not the right preparation as players may raise their game for an occasion. We want players who give 100% against Scarborough and Donny.

How very dare you have such a sensible approach to what are basically training and fitness exercises.

Bearing in mind all the problems with t'Blades game, I wonder if we are deliberately avoiding friendlies where we would no doubt need to pay towards a hefty police presence?

Low key games against higher division opposition might be best for the players, if not for the fans. I've seen us get comprehensively outplayed by higher division clubs in friendlies a little too often in recent seasons to be too bothered one way or another.

Chances are we would only play the reserves/yoof of a larger Championship/smaller Prem club in any case.

As long as the team is fit and ready to go 1st game of the season surely that's all that matters..

Quoted from TwoLeftFeet

As long as the team is fit and ready to go 1st game of the season surely that's all that matters..

As long as the team is fit and understands its roles and is the best prepared it can be, you mean 😊

Quoted from rancido

How very dare you have such a sensible approach to what are basically training and fitness exercises.

Pretty expensive training and fitness exercises.

At least we have got some games this year. Last year was a total shambles. We were completely unprepared for the season because we’d had about 4 games.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

At least we have got some games this year. Last year was a total shambles. We were completely unprepared for the season because we’d had about 4 games.

Agreed mate, everyone saw it vs FGR, we were so off the pace, so many incidents due to lack of match practice. Then when the forth went in, i don't think I've ever seen so many people get up and leave.

Quoted from Teestogreen

Pre-season games should be kept to a minimum imo.

Injuries usually wipe out a few of the players to be able to contribute to the opening games of the seasons and, therefore, counter productive to a good start.

Plus, too many games means that players have run out of steam by the time the season starts.

6 negatives is ok. Last season my one and only pre-season post earned 26 negatives - at the suggeston we should sign Tranmere strikers Andy Cook and James Norwood (not sure how many goals they ended upscoring for others).

UTM - blinkers on again