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Slightly surprised about JS’ comments about criticism on social media and the like. Maybe you’ve got to be there and experience it first hand, but it’s fairly well known that football and social media attract a small minority of idiots, and when you combine those two things, that minority gets a bit bigger.

Surely there’s an overwhelming majority of supporters behind the current ownership. Ignore the odd dissenting voice, and crack on. No matter what your social status, there will always be people that don’t like you. Shut it out.

Debbie asked and answered her own question. I thought it was a fan's forum

Quoted from Hagrid

Seems very his way or no way.

But you dont get where he has in Buisness being a nice guy

I understand that but this is a fans forum not a board meeting.

Like Poojah said its strange how he seems to be taking a minor level of discontent from fans. The vast majority have backed them with everything they've done.

I wish he would stop calling his investment his family’s money. Nobody made him do it.

It’s all coming across a bit cold too me . Family money ?

Wish they'd get to asking them about the status of the new training ground or whatever is going on with the B Corp certification they made such a massive thing about in the months after they completed the takeover (yes i know i could have sent my own questions in but didn't because i'm lazy).

Some ridiculous questions from the folk there

Going on like we’ve got the messiahs in charge

Shaun doing a good job of dealing with this guy rambling and not asking an actual question.

Quoted from Hagrid

Some ridiculous questions from the folk there

Going on like we’ve got the messiahs in charge

It's not a Grimsby Town Fans Forum without multiple rambling questions from the audience in attendance. Just be glad we've not gone off on a lengthy tangent about flasks yet.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Wish they'd get to asking them about the status of the new training ground or whatever is going on with the B Corp certification they made such a massive thing about in the months after they completed the takeover (yes i know i could have sent my own questions in but didn't because i'm lazy).

Also no questions about the development of BP.

Quoted from DB

Also no questions about the development of BP.

Posted too soon. They intend to replace the columns in the main stand with fewer than now, to improve the view.

There will be slightly less posts in the Main stand next season. If that is the best they can up with it is disappointing. No extra investment in the pipeline either, even though about a year ago we were fighting them off.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

There will be slightly less posts in the Main stand next season. If that is the best they can up with it is disappointing. No extra investment in the pipeline either, even though about a year ago we were fighting them off.

Have you seen the cost of labour and materials lately, and would you like the club to reduce the playing budget significantly to extensively rebuild large sections of Blundell Park? We've averaged attendances of 6142 in the league over the 9 home games this season, comfortably below capacity, so unless there's a sudden and drastic u-turn in results throughout the rest of the season I can't really see it being a massive priority in the short to medium term.

Stacks of questions have been sent in apparently, but they have stopped alternating between the floor and those posted in. It's just open to the floor.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

There will be slightly less posts in the Main stand next season. If that is the best they can up with it is disappointing. No extra investment in the pipeline either, even though about a year ago we were fighting them off.

Unless it’s a safety requirement, that’s a complete waste of time and money. I sit near one of the posts. It’s not difficult to move yourself to not miss anything. I know that at 60, I might be below average age for the Main Stand though.

JS says they have to raise £6/5 million for the new training ground. When asked about money several months ago he said raising money wasn't a problem! So why is it a problem now, when Town are now in a league higher?

What a stupid question about the location of a new stadium! Cringey

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Stacks of questions have been sent in apparently, but they have stopped alternating between the floor and those posted in. It's just open to the floor.

‘Now we have a question from the floor. It’s from Cecil, 52, who lives at home still’

‘Jason and Shaun, given that how well we’ve done so far in our unbeaten fa cup run, can I just ask, what’s your favourite biscuit. And do you dunk or not dunk?’t

I wish Petit was the sole investor / chairman . A far more straightforward individual.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Unless it’s a safety requirement, that’s a complete waste of time and money. I sit near one of the posts. It’s not difficult to move yourself to not miss anything. I know that at 60, I might be below average age for the Main Stand though.

It's always been a continuing complaint about the Main Stand - too many roof supporting posts spoiling or limiting the view. Now that it is being addressed we have moaning that it's a waste of money! FFS.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Have you seen the cost of labour and materials lately, and would you like the club to reduce the playing budget significantly to extensively rebuild large sections of Blundell Park? We've averaged attendances of 6142 in the league over the 9 home games this season, comfortably below capacity, so unless there's a sudden and drastic u-turn in results throughout the rest of the season I can't really see it being a massive priority in the short to medium term.

I got the impression when they came in they were experts in certain fields, had the business contacts to make things happen. I get the impression from listening to this they are finding it much harder than they envisaged, in my opinion obviously.

They seriously need to vet the people that attend this forum or at least the questions they are asking.

This is turning into a pointless exercise.

Quoted from 141269

They seriously need to vet the people that attend this forum or at least the questions they are asking.

This is turning into a pointless exercise.

We've gone from asking why we're not giving schoolkids 15 mins of 1st team football to talking about a new stadium that's never been on the agenda.

And now we're talking toilets.....

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I got the impression when they came in they were experts in certain fields, had the business contacts to make things happen. I get the impression from listening to this they are finding it much harder than they envisaged, in my opinion obviously.

Agree. Running an equity fund or a tech business has far less variables as JS refers to them. It seems to be the variables that they’re struggling with.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Agree. Running an equity fund or a tech business has far less variables as JS refers to them. It seems to be the variables that they’re struggling with.

I'd imagine it's significantly easier to find investors for city based real estate development projects or successful international tech companies than it is for a loss making lower division football club in a remote outpost of northern England too.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Unless it’s a safety requirement, that’s a complete waste of time and money. I sit near one of the posts. It’s not difficult to move yourself to not miss anything. I know that at 60, I might be below average age for the Main Stand though.

I agree about moving your head. The biggest problem around views in the Main Stand is related to the roof, rather than the columns that support that.

50/70 applicants for the manager's job, then a short list from that.

“Money in money out” in terms of the Jan window, dead honest from AP & no surprise to many.

Not sure the value of the lads going out in terms of generating enough money to improve us.

Quoted from 141269

They seriously need to vet the people that attend this forum or at least the questions they are asking.

This is turning into a pointless exercise.

Agreed.

JS just seem to suggest the decision will be made next week when asked about new backroom staff coming with the new manager.

“I’m trying not to sound like a politician “

You’re failing with that Jason!

Stadium question when the main concern is staying in the EFL at the minute.

I seem to recall when 1878 took over, JS mentioned something about a 3 year plan and then possibly moving on. We are in that 3rd year now. Are they going to cut their losses and sell the club on. With tbe lack of forward momentum in the new training ground etc who knows what their intentions are.

Like I said , it’s all gone cold . Here we are still in the depths of league 2 mire despite serious investment. FACup money has gone , what now . Nothing changes does it ??

Quoted from WayneBurnettsJockstrap

I seem to recall when 1878 took over, JS mentioned something about a 3 year plan and then possibly moving on. We are in that 3rd year now. Are they going to cut their losses and sell the club on. With tbe lack of forward momentum in the new training ground etc who knows what their intentions are.

I'm fairly sure that JS has said they are now working on a 5 year plan. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Quoted from 123614

I'm fairly sure that JS has said they are now working on a 5 year plan. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

That's what he has said.

Quoted from WayneBurnettsJockstrap

I seem to recall when 1878 took over, JS mentioned something about a 3 year plan and then possibly moving on. We are in that 3rd year now. Are they going to cut their losses and sell the club on. With tbe lack of forward momentum in the new training ground etc who knows what their intentions are.

Dont recall him ever saying that...apart from paying Fenty off, which was expected to take 3 years.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

“Money in money out” in terms of the Jan window, dead honest from AP & no surprise to many.

Not sure the value of the lads going out in terms of generating enough money to improve us.

Hurst got the summer window so wrong, as we have maxed out the budget with a lack of depth in a couple of positions.

Quoted from 141269

They seriously need to vet the people that attend this forum or at least the questions they are asking.

This is turning into a pointless exercise.

A bit like the Fishy forum!

Oh my days.

Stop asking questions about the new manager, it's obvious we've got all the detail we're going to get.

Aside from the manager question it's like a repeat of last year.

And then the question about filling in the corners.

Get me a question on flasks and I've got a clean sweep.

Quoted from LondonMariner43

A bit like the Fishy forum!

Hey let’s not turn this into a Scunthorpe United forum . Free speech counts you know

Honeymoon period's over then.

Tonights shown we’ve got some bloody clowns following our club. Some of them questions made me want to pull my hair out

Great inside analysis from Shaun on playing out the back etc

Quoted from Hagrid

Tonights shown we’ve got some bloody clowns following our club. Some of them questions made me want to pull my hair out

Unfortunately, I can't.

This is turning into the Shaun Pearson show, not needed!

Quoted from Meza

Great inside analysis from Shaun on playing out the back etc

I think that's the best information that has come out of tonight.

Sounds like we’re talking to 2 people for the managers job, back room staff sounds like a sticking point and on this one I’m with the owners, Ben, Shaun and the staff are the fabric of the club. Managers come & go and so do their groupies - e.g. Marcus Bignot and the 2 blokes who used to set the cones out.

I agree there are questions to be asked and some of the replies provided don't really answer them, or the questions haven't been asked, but I think this thread is way too negative in its tone.
They are not perfect but they are doing the best they can and putting lots of time and money into the club they love. Definitely have my respect.

Think Shaun’s come across really well tonight, definitely surprised me, think he’ll go a long way in the game.

Quoted from CSLM

I agree there are questions to be asked and some of the replies provided don't really answer them, or the questions haven't been asked, but I think this thread is way too negative in its tone.
They are not perfect but they are doing the best they can and putting lots of time and money into the club they love. Definitely have my respect.

I think the negativity is coming from the chairman actually. He’s moaned about ‘the grind’, social media, stadium development and even managed a pop at John Tondeur. I get that he’s been very successful in his life and he’s made a lot of money for himself but no one made him take this on.

Apart from some rubbish questions by those in attendance, a very enjoyable evening listening in and as always, open and honest.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I think the negativity is coming from the chairman actually. He’s moaned about ‘the grind’, social media, stadium development and even managed a pop at John Tondeur. I get that he’s been very successful in his life and he’s made a lot of money for himself but no one made him take this on.

What did he say about John Tondeur I tuned in slightly late.

Quoted from Neilo83

Think Shaun’s come across really well tonight, definitely surprised me, think he’ll go a long way in the game.

Yes you can definitely tell he has leadership skills being an ex captain, i actually think he'll start his managerial career at Boston, don't know why just one of those gut feelings.

Quoted from Neilo83

What did he say about John Tondeur I tuned in slightly late.

About the Twitter posts regarding Artell.

In order of impressiveness
Pearson
Petittt
Cook
Davies
Stockwood

Listening on catch up, Shaun’s view on the “playing out” question was brilliant and well backed up by Ben. .

Both of these lads get it, are open, well set up & plan really well for sure. PH needs some credit here for brining them on.

Quoted from Meza

Yes you can definitely tell he has leadership skills being an ex captain, i actually think he'll start his managerial career at Boston, don't know why just one of those gut feelings.

The new manager whoever he is had better be good, because the two who are in the seat now sound good and unless things go horrible wrong, we might be wasting money

Quoted from Neilo83

What did he say about John Tondeur I tuned in slightly late.

On the manager speculation - “…so don’t believe everything you read on social media…thanks John Tondeur” to laughs in the room. Clearly a harmless joke but some of the clowns on here have an axe to grind for some reason.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I think the negativity is coming from the chairman actually. He’s moaned about ‘the grind’, social media, stadium development and even managed a pop at John Tondeur. I get that he’s been very successful in his life and he’s made a lot of money for himself but no one made him take this on.

Yeah I do see where you are coming from.
Things clearly have been much tougher than expected this season and that will bring pressure. I like Jason but I do see why some people don't feel the same way

Quoted from CSLM

Yeah I do see where you are coming from.
Things clearly have been much tougher than expected this season and that will bring pressure. I like Jason but I do see why some people don't feel the same way

I don’t see it as a like versus dislike situation. He’s a very smart and intelligent person but I don’t think he’s beyond scrutiny. Maybe he realises that or maybe he just doesn’t like it. Either way, he was unnecessarily tetchy tonight.

Jason’s words point towards Artell.

Shaun and Ben come across so well, hopefully they can learn more from the next manager and one day maybe be our future managers.

From Jason’s words Cowleys were never gonna be in the question. With them two, Shaun and Ben there’s too many voices.

No money in Jan is worrying unless we sell.

Decent forum roll on tomorrow

Jesus Christ the crap on here is astonishing!
As with most things the real problem are some fans unrealistic expectations.
Fans forums are a tick box exercise in which mainly excrement questions are batted away in a generic fashion by media savvy hosts in the form of rhetoric and sound bytes.
If you expected anything different then more fool you!
Of course there are also those who sound like they cannot wait for things to go wrong too.
Miserable twits!

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I don’t see it as a like versus dislike situation. He’s a very smart and intelligent person but I don’t think he’s beyond scrutiny. Maybe he realises that or maybe he just doesn’t like it. Either way, he was unnecessarily tetchy tonight.

Again I agree. I didn't mean it to sound like that.

Also agree that the JT comment wasn't anything malicious.

As I said originally there are some valid questions to ask the owners.

Quoted from ska face

On the manager speculation - “…so don’t believe everything you read on social media…thanks John Tondeur” to laughs in the room. Clearly a harmless joke but some of the clowns on here have an axe to grind for some reason.

Who are you, Stockwood's mum? It was clearly a pointed dig at JT which was reflected in the audience reaction. I thought we'd moved past having a pop at RH journalists at these events.

Quoted from HerveJosse

In order of impressiveness
Pearson
Petittt
Cook
Davies
Stockwood

I think that's about right. Pearson spoke well, as eloquently and cogently as I’ve heard him speak. Stockwood sounded rattled at times. He needn’t have. More people are on his side than he seems to realise.

You’ll never please everyone. Needs to chill out a bit.

Quoted from Poojah

I think that's about right. Pearson spoke well, as eloquently and cogently as I’ve heard him speak. Stockwood sounded rattled at times. He needn’t have. More people are on his side than he seems to realise.

You’ll never please everyone. Needs to chill out a bit.

I think Ben and Shaun were equally impressive. I’m delighted that their futures have been guaranteed.

Shaun and Ben are doing really well in my opinion. Speak well, are focused on the club and passionate. Unbeaten too

Just a guess but due to the financial state of the economy I’m not surprised there’s less willingness to invest, if you can call it investment as that implies a return , in a L2 club . JS and AP are on their own in this foray into club ownership and it doesn’t matter how much £ you’ve got continuous transferring of £££ will start to grind . As some have said they decided to do this and to an extent that’s true but a fans forum is a true test of anyone’s resolve . I’m sure a stiff drink will be underway right now and some soul searching.

Didn't listen, but I suspect that Stockwood is feeling under quite a bit of pressure, given our struggles in the league this season. With a decision still to be made on the new manager, that will only be more pressure, so you can perhaps understand if he's a bit less diplomatic than he might usually be?

My first and last fans forum in person tonight. The owners hands are tied by the previous owner’s welded wallet not investing in infrastructure, local businesses not having the cash to invest in difficult circumstances and facing other clubs with much bigger pots of money and short to medium term goals much more ambitious than us. The future is more assured but bloody hell it’s bleak being a supporter of a club living within it’s means isn’t it?

That said Shaun and Benji (hi Bob) are possibly long term candidates for the job. Good students of the game, locally based and sound to be pretty invested in the long term view.

Who are we going to sell in January if we need to raise funds ? Can’t think of anyone tbh ?!

Thing I took away from tonight is the owners & Debbie care and are trying to be progressive, considerate and do the right thing for the long term betterment of the club.

In addition to this money is a bit tight despite and JS & AP are propping us up as expected.

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

Who are we going to sell in January if we need to raise funds ? Can’t think of anyone tbh ?!

I assume it would be more meaning a couple of players moving out on loan/free transfers potentially to free the wage budget up for a couple of additions? Again that would probably be acquired on a loan or for a very small fee at that stage of the season.

I'm not sure what to make of that. The good news is that we may have secured a site for a new training ground but don't have the money to do anything with it. My advice would be to forget the new training ground in that case, and just make incremental improvements to Cheapside.

The Main Stand is being "updated" with less posts. Why bother?

We need to put all our efforts into the team. Unless we get moving upwards in terms of league position then all the stuff they would like to achieve is just a fantasy. They have created a better club, a more updated and modern club so personally I would leave it at that for now, as we need to get momentum on the field.

Liked hearing that SP and BD have been to Man Utd’s training ground and that they’ve had ‘chats’ with Sir Alan.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Thing I took away from tonight is the owners & Debbie care and are trying to be progressive, considerate and do the right thing for the long term betterment of the club.

In addition to this money is a bit tight despite and JS & AP are propping us up as expected.

One would have expected them to have done their due diligence, but the impression I get is that Blundell Park is a bigger financial drain than they anticipated.

Quoted from Maringer

Didn't listen, but I suspect that Stockwood is feeling under quite a bit of pressure, given our struggles in the league this season. With a decision still to be made on the new manager, that will only be more pressure, so you can perhaps understand if he's a bit less diplomatic than he might usually be?

Agreed: this is not the guy’s routine business. He will be as stressed as hell because he wants to make the right decision but knows that it is not a cert. Also agree with the sentiment that he has more support than he realises …. But that’s the point……. making a decision over a situation in which you fundamentally care is big jelly ….. whatever anyone tells you . Unless you are a psychopath

Quoted from Neilo83

“I’m trying not to sound like a politician “

You’re failing with that Jason!

The alternative is giving chapter and verse whilst still in a negotiation, which would be a strange thing to do.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Hurst got the summer window so wrong, as we have maxed out the budget with a lack of depth in a couple of positions.

Only if you believe the answer, which I don’t. Think it’s clear from JS answer re what he said about FA Cup money, they’ve realised you advertise a fact, people ask for more…

found it quite dispiriting tbh. reality starts to bite would be my summing up. there is no overnight transformation either on or off the pitch. No outside investment, n it seems the FA cup windfall has ,at best, managed to keep us up with the rest.
It's going to be a long haul
my balloon of 1878 optimism has been spiked, I'm afraid to say!
however, I have to say , i would rather them than anyone else in charge of the club

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

Who are we going to sell in January if we need to raise funds ? Can’t think of anyone tbh ?!

It’s not generally about selling at this level. It’s more about another club taking a player and most/all of his wages on for the remainder of the season/contract, freeing up those wages to spend elsewhere.

Quoted from forza ivano

found it quite dispiriting tbh. reality starts to bite would be my summing up. there is no overnight transformation either on or off the pitch. No outside investment, n it seems the FA cup windfall has ,at best, managed to keep us up with the rest.
It's going to be a long haul
my balloon of 1878 optimism has been spiked, I'm afraid to say!
however, I have to say , i would rather them than anyone else in charge of the club

Don’t be dispirited. Your final paragraph is right. So many people sat back and never complained for years while the previous regime saw us slide down the leagues and neglected Blundell Park. We were a huge undertaking and it’s going to take time.

You’ve a new manager to look forward to and a club that is working hard to go in the right direction. UTM

Quoted from LH

My first and last fans forum in person tonight. The owners hands are tied by the previous owner’s welded wallet not investing in infrastructure, local businesses not having the cash to invest in difficult circumstances and facing other clubs with much bigger pots of money and short to medium term goals much more ambitious than us. The future is more assured but bloody hell it’s bleak being a supporter of a club living within it’s means isn’t it?

That said Shaun and Benji (hi Bob) are possibly long term candidates for the job. Good students of the game, locally based and sound to be pretty invested in the long term view.

I don't think Stockwood came over too badly , I think his frustration is probably because of most of the things you mention in the first paragragh - no chance of a new stadium , (good) people unwilling to invest and having to raise 6 million quid for a training ground of a loss making business - they knew what they were taking on , but I suspect they didn't quite grasp the capital required or how difficult it is to run a club , especially one you love which has most things against it.

Where would we be now if we had not got the FA Cup.money?
If there is no money left where would the 350K for the main stand come from? We are in a pretty poor state on and off the field. What we really need is outside investment but that would be difficult. Maybe its time for us supporters to take the pressure off with another fund raiser for the club and raise some funds for the January window...

Actually at abit of a loss with some of the comments on this. Thought it was quite a good listen, definitely informed on a few issues. On the pitch improvement needed, but otherwise I’m struggling to understand what some actually want?

Someone said earlier we’re still in L2 as abit of a dig, that’s true - but we weren’t 18 months ago.

I do not for a second believe the money/transfer bit. They’ve clearly learned this summer Jason saying money will go to the budget didn’t help with agents…

Also think the ‘a couple of candidates’ is their way of not limiting their options. Think JS used the phrase “competitive tension” strikes me as a negotiating tool.

So the love in with JS has ended. That's understandable given how bad we are at the moment but we now get to see what sort of character he really is.

It's OK writing 'right on' columns in the Guardian when all is going well but the dynamic changes when it's all an awful slog with the R word looming.

Petit and Cook are solid and need to pull JS in as he sounds rattled and we need all three to be in synch to turn this around

Quoted from Mikey_345

Actually at abit of a loss with some of the comments on this. Thought it was quite a good listen, definitely informed on a few issues. On the pitch improvement needed, but otherwise I’m struggling to understand what some actually want?

Someone said earlier we’re still in L2 as abit of a dig, that’s true - but we weren’t 18 months ago.

I do not for a second believe the money/transfer but. They’ve clearly learned this summer Jason saying money will go to the budget didn’t help with agents…

To know who the new manager is , a new stadium , training ground and to throw kids on for the last 15 minutes of games - Clive said we need to fill in the corners to .

Quoted from Mappers

I don't think Stockwood came over too badly , I think his frustration is probably because of most of the things you mention in the first paragragh - no chance of a new stadium , (good) people unwilling to invest and having to raise 6 million quid for a training ground of a loss making business - they knew what they were taking on , but I suspect they didn't quite grasp the capital required or how difficult it is to run a club , especially one you love which has most things against it.

Yeah it’s not a dig at the owners at all. We all want a successful club but we live in an era where people in ‘modest’ (excrement) houses can rent a Merc/Audi/BMW 4x4 and Klarna themselves a designer rig for the whole week. It’s transferred to football and now you can get some tiny-cocked twit who is willing to pump cash in to your club to impress his social circle for a few years until they get bored.

Most of us buy a car and clothes we can afford and just plug on and achieve relative success. 1878 are in a bit of a hybrid situation because they’ve inherited a house with nice cars that hasn’t had a leaky roof or dodgy boiler replaced in 20 years so they’re starting from scratch.

These lot care though so by and large it’s worth sticking by them.

If only Fenty received this level of scrutiny and criticism when he ran the (excrement)show! Apart from the last 6 months of his reign that is, when more people wised up to him.

The fact that anyone is taking Stockwood's jokey comment to Tondeur as a serious dig at him is absolutely ridiculous by the way.

Quoted from Mikey_345

Actually at abit of a loss with some of the comments on this. Thought it was quite a good listen, definitely informed on a few issues. On the pitch improvement needed, but otherwise I’m struggling to understand what some actually want?

Someone said earlier we’re still in L2 as abit of a dig, that’s true - but we weren’t 18 months ago.

I do not for a second believe the money/transfer bit. They’ve clearly learned this summer Jason saying money will go to the budget didn’t help with agents…

Also think the ‘a couple of candidates’ is their way of not limiting their options. Think JS used the phrase “competitive tension” strikes me as a negotiating tool.

Agree with you mate.

As for the money coming in, Conteh hasn't been as good as he was but he definitely is a very valuable asset in January or the summer.

I will catch up with the tonight's proceedings when they put it on U. Tube .

But

Reading the posts on here I shall give my observations .

The posts in the main might need replacing anyway so with modern building materials they could be further apart hence getting a better view for some.

I hope Jason is not regretting taking over because 95% back all the way ignore the moaners. they have to find something to moan at.I know it's frustrating not being able to do all the things you intended but you will get there in the end we knew it was never going to be a quick fix years of neglect by the person who pestered me to ring him and then said don't contact me again. ( I wonder why ) ;D
Cheapside. Will do until we have a change of fortune and Blundell Park will do for years to come once all the required maintenance is carried out.

I might post some more after I have watched it on U. Tube.

But

I am open to bribes if anybody does not want me to. ;)

Quoted from aussiej

Where would we be now if we had not got the FA Cup.money?
If there is no money left where would the 350K for the main stand come from? We are in a pretty poor state on and off the field. What we really need is outside investment but that would be difficult. Maybe its time for us supporters to take the pressure off with another fund raiser for the club and raise some funds for the January window...

Isn't there some football stadium development grants becoming available next summer and hence the temporary fix this pre season

Quoted from Mappers

To know who the new manager is , a new stadium , training ground and to throw kids on for the last 15 minutes of games - Clive said we need to fill in the corners to .

If JS doesn't yet know who the new manager will be, how do you expect him to tell us?

If you know where the club can find £50m for a new stadium, please share it with us all.

The proposed new training ground was covered and the setbacks explained.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I'm not sure what to make of that. The good news is that we may have secured a site for a new training ground but don't have the money to do anything with it. My advice would be to forget the new training ground in that case, and just make incremental improvements to Cheapside.

The Main Stand is being "updated" with less posts. Why bother?

We need to put all our efforts into the team. Unless we get moving upwards in terms of league position then all the stuff they would like to achieve is just a fantasy. They have created a better club, a more updated and modern club so personally I would leave it at that for now, as we need to get momentum on the field.

Really?

They have to do the work to meet safety standards, otherwise the stand will be shut down. I'm sure they would rather not spend £350,000 on works that weren't planned for. The fact they will try and remove some of the obstructive posts in the process is probably something they don't have to do to meet the standard, but are doing anyway to try and make the stand better for the fans.

I must say that I'm pretty downhearted tonight reading all the criticism being aimed at the new owners when they have done more for the club in 3 years than JF did in his entire tenure, and pretty much without the levels of finger pointing that the new owners are getting.

Struggling to comprehend some comments here tonight, i’ve read that Jason had a pop at JT. We’re skint and pretty much copulated and we’re going absolutely nowhere. Maybe some of you are hearing what you want to hear? if you think Jason was having a pop at JT then you are far too easily offended.. quite clearly tongue in cheek. They said we’ll lose close to a million pound this year, yet also said the playing budget this year will not be cut and we at least match this years even without a cup run etc. These are two custodians of our football club, who aren’t stacked with cash and have been honest from day dot. They said they’ll put money into the football club for it to be a self sustainable club and that we’ll always operate within our means. They’ve not promised stadiums or training grounds. They’ve improved what we have, we are an attractive football club to be a part of due to them. We have an infrastructure of staff, we have training facilities that aren’t in the 2000’s anymore and they’re committed to improving the experience at BP despite it being money down the drain. They know it’s not ideal, they aren’t stupid but no L2 football club has 60 million to spend on a stadium. Tottenham Hotspur are still paying there’s off, it’s taken Everton 15 years to move out of Goodison and will be paying it off for a very long time, look at the financial issues it’s caused them. I don’t blame him for coming off social media, because me myself get bored of reading some of the comments nevermind if they was directed at me. ATAW

Quoted from ginnywings

I must say that I'm pretty downhearted tonight reading all the criticism being aimed at the new owners when they have done more for the club in 3 years than JF did in his entire tenure, and pretty much without the levels of finger pointing that the new owners are getting.

It's because JS writes in the Guardian and is a heart-on-his-sleeve lefty, you and I both know it mate. Perhaps your average Town fan felt better represented by a knows-the-price-of-everything-and-the-value-of-nothing Tory councillor. Perhaps JF truly was "one of us"

Quoted from immariner

It's because JS writes in the Guardian and is a heart-on-his-sleeve lefty, you and I both know it mate. Perhaps your average Town fan felt better represented by a knows-the-price-of-everything-and-the-value-of-nothing Tory councillor. Perhaps JF truly was "one of us"

Absolutely, and I was thinking the same thing.

JS is too Guardian and tofu, while AP is seen as Daily Mail and sausages, and "one of us", like JF.

The irony being that Pettit probably had a nice comfortable middle class upbringing, while Stockwood was from a single parent family on the Nunny and couldn't be more Grimsby.

Go figure.

Why bother getting rid of the main stand posts??? You’re paying £20 a game, why should you have to move your head?? When you’re at a restaurant and the food you’re given has a hair on it, do you eat around the hair or do you get rid of it? Better still, get the person running the place to do it for you!

‘No one made you buy the club, Jason’ - he was the only one to step up when we really needed it. He hasn’t got endless pots of money and even without making up the shortfall in playing budget, I’m assuming a great deal has to be put into maintaining every other part of the club.

Personally feel like there’s so much entitlement within certain members of the fanbase; certain criticisms (training ground, forgotten promises) are valid but so many of tonight’s arguments just seem said for the sake of it.

Anyone who confirmed Artell as a done deal has no credibility to their name…

Quoted from Captain Sensible

If JS doesn't yet know who the new manager will be, how do you expect him to tell us?

If you know where the club can find £50m for a new stadium, please share it with us all.

The proposed new training ground was covered and the setbacks explained.

I was just relaying the questions , it's not what I think ; I thought they were pretty poor in truth .

I couldn't take the questions too seriously when the first one was talking about putting 16 year olds on for the last 15 minutes tbh , even if after a bit of discussion he did up the age to 18 or 19 .

It confirmed I still don't find Griffiths 'acting up' comedy particularly amusing either.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Struggling to comprehend some comments here tonight, i’ve read that Jason had a pop at JT. We’re skint and pretty much copulated and we’re going absolutely nowhere. Maybe some of you are hearing what you want to hear? if you think Jason was having a pop at JT then you are far too easily offended.. quite clearly tongue in cheek. They said we’ll lose close to a million pound this year, yet also said the playing budget this year will not be cut and we at least match this years even without a cup run etc. These are two custodians of our football club, who aren’t stacked with cash and have been honest from day dot. They said they’ll put money into the football club for it to be a self sustainable club and that we’ll always operate within our means. They’ve not promised stadiums or training grounds. They’ve improved what we have, we are an attractive football club to be a part of due to them. We have an infrastructure of staff, we have training facilities that aren’t in the 2000’s anymore and they’re committed to improving the experience at BP despite it being money down the drain. They know it’s not ideal, they aren’t stupid but no L2 football club has 60 million to spend on a stadium. Tottenham Hotspur are still paying there’s off, it’s taken Everton 15 years to move out of Goodison and will be paying it off for a very long time, look at the financial issues it’s caused them. I don’t blame him for coming off social media, because me myself get bored of reading some of the comments nevermind if they was directed at me. ATAW

This

I don't see how people can moan , we are in a good place in terms of where the club is , Stockwood is telling it like it is ,surely that's a good thing we might not have a shed load of money but we have good values .

Much prefer it to being told we will be in the Champ within 5 years or have a new stadium 'because we will' and being told to 'shut up'.

The best thing the fans can do is drag more down to BP and fill the place imo

Quoted from ginnywings

Absolutely, and I was thinking the same thing.

JS is too Guardian and tofu, while AP is seen as Daily Mail and sausages, and "one of us", like JF.

The irony being that Pettit probably had a nice comfortable middle class upbringing, while Stockwood was from a single parent family on the Nunny and couldn't be more Grimsby.

Go figure.

That's fair and I admit feeling a bit like this. I'm suspicious of B Corp talk and replacing posts when it doesn't tally with real success. Feels like fiddling around the edges and then talking it up.

A few wins though and it's all forgotten.

Quoted from immariner

Perhaps JF truly was "one of us"

This

Don’t buy the posts of the Main Stand are an issue (vanity project like the glass screen waste of money in the Upper)

JS Very prickly all in all and seems like he’s counting down the days.

Should another new regime take over now they to would rattle on about how BP is out of date, a money pit and rubbish everything. Money needs spending as i suspect has always been spent without the previous wanting a medal or shouting about it.

As a supporters trust member, one of many willing to lend a hand, i saw first hand the work that went on season in season out to keep costs down and in all fairness JF always showed gratitude and mucked in. Don’t know if this still happens but I’ve not been called on by the MT since.

A win today and it will be roses and smiles. UTMM

Quoted from GibMariner

This

Don’t buy the posts of the Main Stand are an issue (vanity project like the glass screen waste of money in the Upper)

JS Very prickly all in all and seems like he’s counting down the days.

Should another new regime take over now they to would rattle on about how BP is out of date, a money pit and rubbish everything. Money needs spending as i suspect has always been spent without the previous wanting a medal or shouting about it.

As a supporters trust member, one of many willing to lend a hand, i saw first hand the work that went on season in season out to keep costs down and in all fairness JF always showed gratitude and mucked in. Don’t know if this still happens but I’ve not been called on by the MT since.

A win today and it will be roses and smiles. UTMM

"Fenty showed gratitude and mucked in"...who are you kidding!.
He mucked in because it saved a few bob, it wasn't for the love of the club, and I'm sure he showed you gratitude, when you were doing stuff as a Barrow job n saving him a few more pennies..

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

"Fenty showed gratitude and mucked in"...who are you kidding!.
He mucked in because it saved a few bob, it wasn't for the love of the club, and I'm sure he showed you gratitude, when you were doing stuff as a Barrow job n saving him a few more pennies..

Bitter :) cheap option :K)

Quoted from GibMariner

Bitter :) cheap option :K)

Yes, I am bitter....
I'm bitter towards a man that nearly took my club out of business, twice, got us relegated out the league, twice, never invested into the club, training facilities or infastructure yet wanted the kudos and fans to lick his oily boots, and let's not talk about trying to bring a convicted fraudster to the club and local council eh..
Now, I'm not sure if you believed in JSF, or trying to win the forumites up tbh..

Quoted from GibMariner

This

Don’t buy the posts of the Main Stand are an issue (vanity project like the glass screen waste of money in the Upper)

JS Very prickly all in all and seems like he’s counting down the days.

Should another new regime take over now they to would rattle on about how BP is out of date, a money pit and rubbish everything. Money needs spending as i suspect has always been spent without the previous wanting a medal or shouting about it.

As a supporters trust member, one of many willing to lend a hand, i saw first hand the work that went on season in season out to keep costs down and in all fairness JF always showed gratitude and mucked in. Don’t know if this still happens but I’ve not been called on by the MT since.

A win today and it will be roses and smiles. UTMM

This is quite an unbelievable post. Must be a wind-up surely

Quoted from GibMariner

Bitter :) cheap option :K)

Nothing sums it up more than a story Mckeown told when he first signed, Fenty was in the neighbouring field at cheapside siphoning water

Cheap. Cheap cheap.

I attended last nights Forum and having read through this thread it's a bit annoying to see people here having a go at the questions asked on the night. You all had chance to attend and ask in person or submit your own questions via email but no you couldn't be ar5sed .

Anyway the night itself JS went down like a lead balloon with me he just went into spin doctor mode and never gave one straight answer all night. The rest of the panel I enjoyed hearing from and SP in particular came across very well. I came away with the impression we're in for a very long period of make do off the pitch but I do think that on the pitch these guys want to make do in league 1?

The other positive for me the emphasis on youth and Debbie Cook asked fir a good turn out from us a week on Tuesday vs Forest in the FA Cup. Tickets are priced at £3 and £5 and I'd implore all Town fans to make the effort and get to that as Forest will have a good following and according to the panel they have very high hopes with our youngsters.

Anyway it's matchday and it's a big game we need the 3 points vs Sutton and after the last few games I'm expecting goals again
UTM

I'm thinking maybe some posters need pointing to the video of the infamous forum where Fenty ambushed Matt Dean, and the misery guts accountant told fans to shut up, then the utterly useless Slade waffled on. All just a slow build up to our second drop into non-league.

Forum was ok for me, nothing more nothing less but it's been vastly over analysed on here, even used as a way of getting extra digs in at Jason. Perhaps take a look around at so many other clubs in disarray because of an erratic board or chairman, perhaps wait until this boards record is reaching some sort of similar level as the dismal previous owners.
Hard to swallow for certain posters on this thread but this bunch achieved promotion back to the league first attempt, back when writing a Guardian piece was tolerable.

Not a great night for me, I've seen some silly and even underhand behaviour on this board tonight, disappointing.

Quoted from Tommy

This is quite an unbelievable post. Must be a wind-up surely

Stockwood up a pylon today or out

That post deserves a record red X count surely

Bonkers

Quoted from HatTrickHero

I'm thinking maybe some posters need pointing to the video of the infamous forum where Fenty ambushed Matt Dean, and the misery guts accountant told fans to shut up, then the utterly useless Slade waffled on. All just a slow build up to our second drop into non-league.

Forum was ok for me, nothing more nothing less but it's been vastly over analysed on here, even used as a way of getting extra digs in at Jason. Perhaps take a look around at so many other clubs in disarray because of an erratic board or chairman, perhaps wait until this boards record is reaching some sort of similar level as the dismal previous owners.
Hard to swallow for certain posters on this thread but this bunch achieved promotion back to the league first attempt, back when writing a Guardian piece was tolerable.

Not a great night for me, I've seen some silly and even underhand behaviour on this board tonight, disappointing.

It was pretty full and the people who went seemed to enjoy most of it and it's fantastic that the 5 panel members gave up there evening to speak. I have seen the comments here regards JS and Tondeur and trust me that wasn't an issue at all they where all smiles and JT enjoyed the night.
No way last night should be viewed negatively it's just that in reality there are hundreds of questions thd fans would like answers to but only a dozen of so got asked.

It's no good anybody comparing Fenty to anything happening today. I was Fenty's biggest critic but it is today we are discussing. Criticism is a part of life, and despite an awful lot of talk, a lot of column inches written in the Guardian about values in their various guises we are short of the commodity that blighted the Fenty years - money.

The training ground, proper stadium refurbishment seem to be on the back burner, bar essential remedial work.

They will have looked at the various options and decided everything is too expensive which is fair enough, but we were given the impression due to their careers they would be able to use their contacts to be quite dynamic and creative with solutions.

From last night we learned they can't even get one sponsor for any of the stands to be named after.

Our main hope seems to be to hope for success on the field despite the manager not having a budget the better teams have which is pretty much were we came in.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

It's no good anybody comparing Fenty to anything happening today. I was Fenty's biggest critic but it is today we are discussing. Criticism is a part of life, and despite an awful lot of talk, a lot of column inches written in the Guardian about values in their various guises we are short of the commodity that blighted the Fenty years - money.

The training ground, proper stadium refurbishment seem to be on the back burner, bar essential remedial work.

They will have looked at the various options and decided everything is too expensive which is fair enough, but we were given the impression due to their careers they would be able to use their contacts to be quite dynamic and creative with solutions.

From last night we learned they can't even get one sponsor for any of the stands to be named after.

Our main hope seems to be to hope for success on the field despite the manager not having a budget the better teams have which is pretty much were we came in.

The reason people like myself keep having to bring up Fenty is that some ‘fans’ have forgotten what he tried to do to our club.

In a similar vein, there were revisionist posts last week suggesting Holloway wasn’t here solely for nefarious reasons.

The two of them tried to sell our club to a convicted fraudster. God knows what state the club would be in now without the leak.

So no, we are not ‘pretty much back where we came in’.

Nobody sensible on here, including JS and AP, has ever suggested that the two of them were going to come in and sort out all the problems overnight. It could take years to get back to being a stable, upper L1 (or better) club. They might succeed. They might not. I don’t know and neither do they.

Just because JS and AP have had some success in business, it doesn’t mean this long-term project is going to be easy or successful.

I never doubted Fenty when he said it was a difficult, lonely job running a lower league football club. JS and AP are proving it’s not easy. However, I’ve seen nothing from them yet that would suggest they will try to destroy our club, in the same way as Fenty tried to do.

JS and AP should be challenged, they should be questioned. They shouldn’t be viewed as saints. But the club is in a better state than it was when they joined. It’s a pretty low bar, but I am genuinely worried for anyone who thinks that isn’t so.

Spot on 👌 good post KAFV

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

The reason people like myself keep having to bring up Fenty is that some ‘fans’ have forgotten what he tried to do to our club.

In a similar vein, there were revisionist posts last week suggesting Holloway wasn’t here solely for nefarious reasons.

The two of them tried to sell our club to a convicted fraudster. God knows what state the club would be in now without the leak.

So no, we are not ‘pretty much back where we came in’.

Nobody sensible on here, including JS and AP, has ever suggested that the two of them were going to come in and sort out all the problems overnight. It could take years to get back to being a stable, upper L1 (or better) club. They might succeed. They might not. I don’t know and neither do they.

Just because JS and AP have had some success in business, it doesn’t mean this long-term project is going to be easy or successful.

I never doubted Fenty when he said it was a difficult, lonely job running a lower league football club. JS and AP are proving it’s not easy. However, I’ve seen nothing from them yet that would suggest they will try to destroy our club, in the same way as Fenty tried to do.

JS and AP should be challenged, they should be questioned. They shouldn’t be viewed as saints. But the club is in a better state than it was when they joined. It’s a pretty low bar, but I am genuinely worried for anyone who thinks that isn’t so.

You seem very bitter person the way you interpret various things. But today 8) 8) how does it look any different.

Successes on the field masks so much doesn’t it ;) and then is soon forgotten. Such is the case ;D

Let’s hope for the arrival of a lucky manager in the coming days, me hopes.

"nobody asked them to buy the club" or whatever the quote was - what a load of balderdash! When Fenty was trying to cook up the deal with the convicted fraudster we WERE practically pleading with JS and AP to buy the club and save us from possible doom. Jeez you only have to look down the road at scunny to see what could have happened and people could have had something to actually bleat about such as being in NLN or ceasing to exist even.

I'm still relieved they bought the club when they did. And they've had success in both years since anyway!

Quoted from ska face

On the manager speculation - “…so don’t believe everything you read on social media…thanks John Tondeur” to laughs in the room. Clearly a harmless joke but some of the clowns on here have an axe to grind for some reason.

Exactly!

Great post Knut!

I've said since the takeover that JS and AP will come under much more scrutiny because of how easy JF had it.

I think last night was ok, the questions from the floor were quite poor in the main. I've seen it done before where guests have to write them down and the host selects them at random, but that opens the panel up to scrutiny that an awkward question has been swerved.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

The reason people like myself keep having to bring up Fenty is that some ‘fans’ have forgotten what he tried to do to our club.

In a similar vein, there were revisionist posts last week suggesting Holloway wasn’t here solely for nefarious reasons.

The two of them tried to sell our club to a convicted fraudster. God knows what state the club would be in now without the leak.

So no, we are not ‘pretty much back where we came in’.

Nobody sensible on here, including JS and AP, has ever suggested that the two of them were going to come in and sort out all the problems overnight. It could take years to get back to being a stable, upper L1 (or better) club. They might succeed. They might not. I don’t know and neither do they.

Just because JS and AP have had some success in business, it doesn’t mean this long-term project is going to be easy or successful.

I never doubted Fenty when he said it was a difficult, lonely job running a lower league football club. JS and AP are proving it’s not easy. However, I’ve seen nothing from them yet that would suggest they will try to destroy our club, in the same way as Fenty tried to do.

JS and AP should be challenged, they should be questioned. They shouldn’t be viewed as saints. But the club is in a better state than it was when they joined. It’s a pretty low bar, but I am genuinely worried for anyone who thinks that isn’t so.

We will never forget Fenty, I certainly won't.

However that is done, and it is today's reality we should concentrate on.

Quoted from forza ivano

found it quite dispiriting tbh. reality starts to bite would be my summing up. there is no overnight transformation either on or off the pitch. No outside investment, n it seems the FA cup windfall has ,at best, managed to keep us up with the rest.
It's going to be a long haul
my balloon of 1878 optimism has been spiked, I'm afraid to say!
however, I have to say , i would rather them than anyone else in charge of the club

None of which can be blamed on JS and AP.

Quoted from davmariner

Who are you, Stockwood's mum? It was clearly a pointed dig at JT which was reflected in the audience reaction. I thought we'd moved past having a pop at RH journalists at these events.

Stop trying to make fetch happen.

Quoted from aussiej

Where would we be now if we had not got the FA Cup.money?
If there is no money left where would the 350K for the main stand come from? We are in a pretty poor state on and off the field. What we really need is outside investment but that would be difficult. Maybe its time for us supporters to take the pressure off with another fund raiser for the club and raise some funds for the January window...

100% agree, and willing to donate.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Struggling to comprehend some comments here tonight, i’ve read that Jason had a pop at JT. We’re skint and pretty much copulated and we’re going absolutely nowhere. Maybe some of you are hearing what you want to hear? if you think Jason was having a pop at JT then you are far too easily offended.. quite clearly tongue in cheek. They said we’ll lose close to a million pound this year, yet also said the playing budget this year will not be cut and we at least match this years even without a cup run etc. These are two custodians of our football club, who aren’t stacked with cash and have been honest from day dot. They said they’ll put money into the football club for it to be a self sustainable club and that we’ll always operate within our means. They’ve not promised stadiums or training grounds. They’ve improved what we have, we are an attractive football club to be a part of due to them. We have an infrastructure of staff, we have training facilities that aren’t in the 2000’s anymore and they’re committed to improving the experience at BP despite it being money down the drain. They know it’s not ideal, they aren’t stupid but no L2 football club has 60 million to spend on a stadium. Tottenham Hotspur are still paying there’s off, it’s taken Everton 15 years to move out of Goodison and will be paying it off for a very long time, look at the financial issues it’s caused them. I don’t blame him for coming off social media, because me myself get bored of reading some of the comments never mind if they was directed at me. ATAW

It's good to see some people appreciate what our owners are trying to do instead of finding trivial matters to moan about.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

We will never forget Fenty, I certainly won't.

However that is done, and it is today's reality we should concentrate on.

This isn’t meant as an attack on you but how can we move on when a (increasing?) section of our fan base can’t identify that these changes have happened:

In late 2020:
- Town were a laughing stock in the industry (people in football, including other club owners, thought Fenty was an absolute joke!)
- Fenty and Holloway sought investment from Alex May and god only knows who else

Now:
- We have an improved reputation in the industry
- As far as we are aware, JS and AP are not about to sell the club to a convicted fraudster

Just those points alone are a huge, positive change.

All of us will have our own thoughts about what JS and AP have done right or wrong but those two key points are surely the most important.

We will win matches. We will lose matches. We might get promoted. We might get relegated. But the fundamental point is that the club exists and is something we can be proud of.

I’m very proud to be a Town fan. Much more so than I was in late 2020.

I honestly don’t see what people found so objectionable about Stockwood’s answers. Wasn’t the point about getting abuse on social media a response to a question asking how the board dealt with getting abuse on social media after the Accrington chairman jacked it in recently? I notice they didn’t bring up how Cook had to take herself off twitter entirely after being subject to a campaign of abuse from some sad acts on there.

Same with the improvements at BP. I’d be fųcked off if the council had suddenly decided (a week before the first match of the season) that you needed to put a whole new roof on the Pontoon after it not being an issue for the last 20 years (when a Councillor was the owner…).

I think Stockwood & Pettit are probably a lot wealthier than people think , they obviously like to downplay things . They seem to have X amount they are willing to invest and want to do so wisely ; you would have thought there is some aside to prop up a shortfall on the training ground and then to keep us out of debt /maintain the budget .

I get when people dish out criticism when it's justified but I honestly don't think the current custodians have done a whole lot wrong at all really- they want to improve within what we can afford , is that such a bad thing ?

Maybe we won't go anywhere fast , but at least we know now we are not going backwards or standing still - yes it doesn't give you that buzz like all the false promises did in the past (at least to start) but it's real life , with real achievable goals ; we should at least give the guys credit for not trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

Crowds are strong (even with this bad spell ) and good things are happening , maybe people just need to downgrade their expectations a bit and realise we are not lottery winners .

We have sold 6.5k tickets today, which is bloody good , when we are doing badly in general , half of league 2 and a good few teams in league 1 would bite your hand off for that ; maybe we all need to be a bit more positive with what we have got rather than what we have not in general.

Quoted from 123614

100% agree, and willing to donate.

I know this is a forum but why do we have to lurch from one crazy extreme to another.

The owners are not going to be transparent about the financial situation in public. No owner would be. There will be ‘some’ money available in January but we’re not going to shout about it. The sum of that ‘some’ might be relatively low but it will be enough to strengthen in certain areas.

Just don’t expect us to go out and poach Langstaff from Notts Chalky, that’s all.

When the owners speak in public they are just trying to bat the questions away. Despite what they said when they arrived, it’s impossible to be transparent with fans, both for commercial reasons and the fact that a significant proportion of football fans are stupid.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

We will never forget Fenty, I certainly won't.

However that is done, and it is today's reality we should concentrate on.

It isn't done though is it? Fenty ran the club like a non-League outfit long before we dropped into non-League. The lack of investment - not just in the ground and training pitch - but throughout the club in its running and lack of professionalism will take a long time to undo. Just in the past year the club have had to push a hell of a lot of money into basic upkeep of the ground just to tread water. He slowly wrecked our club over a number of years merely to massage his ego.

So it isn't done. We're still feeling the repercussions and will for a number of years yet.

Plus, as far as I am aware, JS and AP have never threatened to take legal action against Rob, against posters on The Fishy or generally threatened fans, staff or anyone basically.

We are only in the position where we can challenge and criticise the current owners on this forum because that bullying, self-obsessed cünt is no longer involved in our club.

Quoted from EvilFish

It isn't done though is it? Fenty ran the club like a non-League outfit long before we dropped into non-League. The lack of investment - not just in the ground and training pitch - but throughout the club in its running and lack of professionalism will take a long time to undo. Just in the past year the club have had to push a hell of a lot of money into basic upkeep of the ground just to tread water. He slowly wrecked our club over a number of years merely to massage his ego.

So it isn't done. We're still feeling the repercussions and will for a number of years yet.

Totally agree Fenty penny pinching has set the Club back years and his claiming back every penny including the Trust money sums him up Me Me Me.
He was a parasite and were well rid of him but sadly his legacy will haunt us for years to come.
Things will get better FA Cup windfall and possibly player sales further down the line may be financial game changers.Were in good safe hands but clearly we need further investment from other suitable persons.

I agree we need more investment, but as DC said last night, in the current financial climate it is proving difficult to persuade companies to invest in a football club, particularly one currently in the bottom reaches of League Two.

Quoted from 123614

I agree we need more investment, but as DC said last night, in the current financial climate it is proving difficult to persuade companies to invest in a football club, particularly one in the bottom reaches of League Two.

I liked it when DC said they were not prepared to let someone have naming rights to the Findus unless they paid what the Club deemed it worth. The days of flogging the family silver to the first offer are long gone and that was great to hear we won't be selling unless our value is met

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

This isn’t meant as an attack on you but how can we move on when a (increasing?) section of our fan base can’t identify that these changes have happened:

In late 2020:
- Town were a laughing stock in the industry (people in football, including other club owners, thought Fenty was an absolute joke!)
- Fenty and Holloway sought investment from Alex May and god only knows who else

Now:
- We have an improved reputation in the industry
- As far as we are aware, JS and AP are not about to sell the club to a convicted fraudster

Just those points alone are a huge, positive change.

All of us will have our own thoughts about what JS and AP have done right or wrong but those two key points are surely the most important.

We will win matches. We will lose matches. We might get promoted. We might get relegated. But the fundamental point is that the club exists and is something we can be proud of.

I’m very proud to be a Town fan. Much more so than I was in late 2020.

I don't think there are ANY Town fans who don't think we are in a better place, morally and financially and by just about every other metric, apart from possibly league position.

Quoted from ska face

I honestly don’t see what people found so objectionable about Stockwood’s answers. Wasn’t the point about getting abuse on social media a response to a question asking how the board dealt with getting abuse on social media after the Accrington chairman jacked it in recently? I notice they didn’t bring up how Cook had to take herself off twitter entirely after being subject to a campaign of abuse from some sad acts on there.

Same with the improvements at BP. I’d be fųcked off if the council had suddenly decided (a week before the first match of the season) that you needed to put a whole new roof on the Pontoon after it not being an issue for the last 20 years (when a Councillor was the owner…).

Think that Wacca bloke ended up in big trouble for his posts didnt he about cook?

Listened again on the way up this morning despite the recurring questions about stadiums, training grounds & youth policy there where a few decent questions that I believe the panel did a really good job in answering as honestly as they could without disclosing topics that for numerous reasons need to stay confidential.,

I also liked the comment Jason made saying he was possibly a bit hasty publicly saying all the cup money would go into the playing budget, magnanimity is a rare quality in football club owners.

Quoted from EvilFish

It isn't done though is it? Fenty ran the club like a non-League outfit long before we dropped into non-League. The lack of investment - not just in the ground and training pitch - but throughout the club in its running and lack of professionalism will take a long time to undo. Just in the past year the club have had to push a hell of a lot of money into basic upkeep of the ground just to tread water. He slowly wrecked our club over a number of years merely to massage his ego.

So it isn't done. We're still feeling the repercussions and will for a number of years yet.

This. The club and facilities were allowed to rot over an extended period of time. It's going to take a similar number of years of attention and careful spending to reverse that. The Main Stand issue is a perfect illustration of what the owners are up against, requiring a sizeable chunk of cash just to stand still.
Last night was quite sobering but they were necessary truths. Things like acquiring the site for the training ground being great but just leading to the next challenge to get the £5million to start the build of the facility.
It was apt that a magic wand was mentioned in one of the questions. Without one the new/renovated ground, the training ground situation, and possibly our league position will to take many years to improve.

1878 will have been thinking about questions and the messaging. They will have been able to predict almost every question last night - save perhaps why aren’t we playing 16 year olds, the mention of disrespect of minutes silence from Exec boxes (good point) and when are scotch eggs back. JS is taking the lead on managing expectations, and although more a bit more tetchy than I expected about social media etc, I’d hear a realistic appraisal of the clubs position on BP and the training ground, than the bullshite we got from the previous regime.

I’m not pessimistic about the future but my expectations have certainly moderated. For a club of Town’s size and revenue potential, BP could be a 100+ year old financial black hole if we tried do all the work that needs doing. Even with such a poor start there are fewer than a 1000 home seats unsold every game. BP is not suitable for much non match day use to earn extra revenue, so what we spend on BP cannot yield much extra revenue. A club like Notts probably earn £20k per game more than we do from away fans alone. The only thing that differentiates us from some of the so-called tinpotters that have small but new grounds, is our history and our big away support. This still creates the perception to some of our fan base that we are bigger club than the reality these days.

Having listened to the forum last night and then read some of the comments on here, I would recommend to any fan to listen themselves and to form their own opinion. Some of the negative opinions expressed on here significantly distort what was said, how it was said and why some things were said and others not. To me last night was polite, good humoured, informative and open while recognising confidentiality. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course but some opinions on here seem to range from extreme negative bias to complete b0ll0cks.
Listen with an open mind. Thank god "you know who" and his cronies have been replaced, though some of his acolytes still appear on here from time to time with a predictable negative agenda, despite a forward looking and professional set of people now running the club. UTM

Quoted from Townforlife

Listen with an open mind. Thank god "you know who" and his cronies have been replaced, though some of his acolytes still appear on here from time to time with a predictable negative agenda, despite a forward looking and professional set of people now running the club. UTM

Exactly.

It’s not too long ago that forums were hosted by Terry Rudrum calling fans “keyboard warriors”, and Fenty saying “hello to my fishy friends” before going off on a rambling 20-min tangent where he’d practically fellate himself.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

I liked it when DC said they were not prepared to let someone have naming rights to the Findus unless they paid what the Club deemed it worth. The days of flogging the family silver to the first offer are long gone and that was great to hear we won't be selling unless our value is met

So....not wanting to devalue the product then ?
🤔😁

Can't believe i've just read that Stockwood isn't all that because in pre season he wasn't around the ground or up on the top of the pontoon sorting the roof. I for one am not blinded by blinkers by everything JS & AP do and nor do I compare them to JF. Him down the road looks like a good owner compared to Fenty, take a look at how we all spoke about them during that era... that's how people in football viewed us as a football club whilst he was here. JS is approachable and honest, he's straight talking and has his views on life and it seems many people don't like that because it differs from what they believe. I think Messi is the best footballer to ever play the game, my mate thinks Ronaldo is.. I don't call him a twit for it... even though he's wrong ;D because it's subjective and an opinion. If JS came out last night and said yeah we've got loads of money left from the summer then it just doesn't play into our hands. He said it in the summer, the cup run harmed us in negotiations because agents and clubs knew we had money. In L2 you have to submit your full playing budget at the start of the season, if we was to say we've got money to spend then it's just going to harm us. They are very smart people, much smarter than I. I'm sure they wish they could be upfront and tell us everything but we all listened to that fans forum, we don't know who else was listening. Like JS referred to when asked a question about the manager, they could of been listening. The answers are a negotiation tactic, it gives them power in negetiations if the canidates believe they aren't the only one we're talking to. I'm not sure I believe him mind, I believe we are only talking to one... same thing with the playing budget, agents and clubs could listen to that and it harms us in January.

My aunt Gertrude would be better than Fenty but surely to God we have gone past that?

It's the future that counts and how we are going to achieve our ambitions?

The next manager is obviously very important as the route to any lasting success is going to come from what happens on the field, and whether he can develop players to raise us some much needed finance.

Quoted from Poojah

Slightly surprised about JS’ comments about criticism on social media and the like. Maybe you’ve got to be there and experience it first hand, but it’s fairly well known that football and social media attract a small minority of idiots, and when you combine those two things, that minority gets a bit bigger.

Surely there’s an overwhelming majority of supporters behind the current ownership. Ignore the odd dissenting voice, and crack on. No matter what your social status, there will always be people that don’t like you. Shut it out.

Was he baulking personal attacks or disagreement with what he's done/not done?

Quoted from GrimPol

Was he baulking personal attacks or disagreement with what he's done/not done?

To quote one I read, ' stop posting articles on the guardian you flipping fanny and appoint a manager '

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

This isn’t meant as an attack on you but how can we move on when a (increasing?) section of our fan base can’t identify that these changes have happened:

In late 2020:
- Town were a laughing stock in the industry (people in football, including other club owners, thought Fenty was an absolute joke!)
- Fenty and Holloway sought investment from Alex May and god only knows who else

Now:
- We have an improved reputation in the industry
- As far as we are aware, JS and AP are not about to sell the club to a convicted fraudster

Just those points alone are a huge, positive change.

All of us will have our own thoughts about what JS and AP have done right or wrong but those two key points are surely the most important.

We will win matches. We will lose matches. We might get promoted. We might get relegated. But the fundamental point is that the club exists and is something we can be proud of.

I’m very proud to be a Town fan. Much more so than I was in late 2020.

I don't post a lot but I agree with every word.

100% there are fans but not on here anyway that have forgotten what Fenty and Holloway was "allegedly" doing as a last throw of the dice. Alex May was a convicted fraudster and was only sat in the upper with Fenty. if the rumours was true that idiot was trying to buy the club and would of took us to the cleaners

Obviously its all hersay and rumours but if any of it was true then how can Fenty ever call himself a true fan.

Like you said JS and AP may have done things wrong here and there but They're a massive improvement on the last custodian of the club.

Seems to me JS is loosing his mojo for running a football club.
He is probably putting in more money than he wants to and sees no end to it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps down at the end of the season and takes a back seat.

Quoted from Yoda

Seems to me JS is loosing his mojo for running a football club.
He is probably putting in more money than he wants to and sees no end to it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps down at the end of the season and takes a back seat.

He will be anyway because they said they’re doing fixed 3 year terms as chairman so don’t be coming back with smart arsed comments when he does step down.

Loosely linked to this with comments about social media at the FF:

I’ve seen on Twitter that JS has blocked a few of the, shall we say, less positive Town fans. Not sure I can agree with that stance personally. When you can mute people. It just doesn’t seem a good look to be blocking dissenting voices and also creates a bit of an echo chamber.

Quoted from LH

Loosely linked to this with comments about social media at the FF:

I’ve seen on Twitter that JS has blocked a few of the, shall we say, less positive Town fans. Not sure I can agree with that stance personally. When you can mute people. It just doesn’t seem a good look to be blocking dissenting voices and also creates a bit of an echo chamber.

Just because he's chairman doesn't mean he should be forced to subject himself to abuse. Perhaps those "less than positive" fans should find a way of airing their opinions that doesn't involve tagging people on twitter

Quoted from MaccasBoots

Just because he's chairman doesn't mean he should be forced to subject himself to abuse. Perhaps those "less than positive" fans should find a way of airing their opinions that doesn't involve tagging people on twitter

So mute them and not see it or turn your phone off 🤪

Quoted from LH

Loosely linked to this with comments about social media at the FF:

I’ve seen on Twitter that JS has blocked a few of the, shall we say, less positive Town fans. Not sure I can agree with that stance personally. When you can mute people. It just doesn’t seem a good look to be blocking dissenting voices and also creates a bit of an echo chamber.

Why would blocking people on his personal twitter account create an echo chamber? Like he's said many a time before he's happy to hear other opinions even if they are on the other end of the spectrum as his. What he doesn't agree with is certain individuals taking it that step further and tagging him and directing abuse at him and there's certainly been a few of those.

If JS decided to go can anyone blame him

If had not had a 65 year addiction to the club, would I still support them…..probably not.

Might as well support Manchester Arabia City…..

But I won’t. I could never enjoy so much stolen success

Quoted from IlkleyMariner

If JS decided to go can anyone blame him

If had not had a 65 year addiction to the club, would I still support them…..probably not.

Might as well support Manchester Arabia City…..

But I won’t. I could never enjoy so much stolen success

I don’t remember him saying anything about going, he’s frustrated, we’re frustrated. He’s not daft, walking away would be a massive admission of failure and I don’t think for a minute that he’s that kind of person.

I managed 10 minutes of the FF . The questions were terrible. Did it get any better ? Lol

About 9 minutes and 55 seconds longer than readers of your posts on here then 👍

Quoted from marinerjase

About 9 minutes and 55 seconds longer than readers of your posts on here then 👍

sorry , I’m guessing you asked the first question

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Why would blocking people on his personal twitter account create an echo chamber? Like he's said many a time before he's happy to hear other opinions even if they are on the other end of the spectrum as his. What he doesn't agree with is certain individuals taking it that step further and tagging him and directing abuse at him and there's certainly been a few of those.

Muting achieves the same thing and doesn’t give them a badge of honour though that’s what I don’t get. He’s just created a goal for those negative types.

I’ve got a few Town fans muted for reasons like being boringly negative and a few who have gtfc in their handle so I don’t see every single post they make when scrolling the hashtag.

Quoted from LH

Loosely linked to this with comments about social media at the FF:

I’ve seen on Twitter that JS has blocked a few of the, shall we say, less positive Town fans. Not sure I can agree with that stance personally. When you can mute people. It just doesn’t seem a good look to be blocking dissenting voices and also creates a bit of an echo chamber.

Read Rebel Ideas by Matthew Sayed to truly understand what echo chambers are & how dangerous they can be and to truly understand that’s one thing you can’t throw at JS or 1878.

Quoted from Yoda

Seems to me JS is loosing his mojo for running a football club.
He is probably putting in more money than he wants to and sees no end to it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps down at the end of the season and takes a back seat.

I think the amount of money needed to finance a football club these days is obscene, especially one that has lacked significant investment for a long time.

I distinctly remember the chairman saying on radio, maybe a year or two ago, he received investment offers but would not rush into anything as they didn't need it yet.

I remember it sounded odd at the time but thought great we have people waiting in the wings. Then we had the cup run, the record season ticket sales. We had well connected people who were going to open doors we never thought possible - the likes of Gareth Jennings etc.

Compare this to what they said at the fans forum what the heck has happened? We can't even get a sponsor for any of the stands and we can't bring any players in unless some go out first.

Yes they have to spend some money, and a lot of money in anybody's language, but things have gone swimmingly well until recently so if it is getting more difficult now what will happen if the crowds drop due to stagnation on the field?

I completely get and am a supporter of what they are trying to do in making Grimsby a by word for excellence in the community and making the club in many ways the jewel in Grimsby's crown, but they must have known that would be incredibly expensive.

If they can't provide the finance at this stage then we will have to hope a good manager can get us moving so we get some momentum. I would wager that clubs who have improved drastically were already moving up the leagues before embarking on the bigger projects, like when the Cowleys got Lincoln on a roll.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I think the amount of money needed to finance a football club these days is obscene, especially one that has lacked significant investment for a long time.

I distinctly remember the chairman saying on radio, maybe a year or two ago, he received investment offers but would not rush into anything as they didn't need it yet.

I remember it sounded odd at the time but thought great we have people waiting in the wings. Then we had the cup run, the record season ticket sales. We had well connected people who were going to open doors we never thought possible - the likes of Gareth Jennings etc.

Compare this to what they said at the fans forum what the heck has happened? We can't even get a sponsor for any of the stands and we can't bring any players in unless some go out first.

Yes they have to spend some money, and a lot of money in anybody's language, but things have gone swimmingly well until recently so if it is getting more difficult now what will happen if the crowds drop due to stagnation on the field?

I completely get and am a supporter of what they are trying to do in making Grimsby a by word for excellence in the community and making the club in many ways the jewel in Grimsby's crown, but they must have known that would be incredibly expensive.

If they can't provide the finance at this stage then we will have to hope a good manager can get us moving so we get some momentum. I would wager that clubs who have improved drastically were already moving up the leagues before embarking on the bigger projects, like when the Cowleys got Lincoln on a roll.

I think what he actually said was that you don't take investment when you need it, you take it when you don't. Something he has said before in other interviews.

Seems counter intuitive, but I think what he is trying to get at is that you then take it on your own terms and not when in a desperate situation which allows others to have a hold on you. Build your brand and then accept people who want to be a part of it, and not because they see a way of elbowing their way in with shiny trinkets.

Quoted from ginnywings

I think what he actually said was that you don't take investment when you need it, you take it when you don't. Something he has said before in other interviews.

Seems counter intuitive, but I think what he is trying to get at is that you then take it on your own terms and not when in a desperate situation which allows others to have a hold on you. Build your brand and then accept people who want to be a part of it, and not because they see a way of elbowing their way in with shiny trinkets.

Absolutely right. You borrow when you’re doing well, you do your marketing when you’re busy etc, always do your bidding when you’re at your strongest then you’re in a position where you can get the best outcome.

If you wait till you need a deal, you’ll take the first deal which is usually the worst deal.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Absolutely right. You borrow when you’re doing well, you do your marketing when you’re busy etc, always do your bidding when you’re at your strongest then you’re in a position where you can get the best outcome.

If you wait till you need a deal, you’ll take the first deal which is usually the worst deal.

We were on the up when he said it though and now we will have to wait to see whether we get on a roll again.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Absolutely right. You borrow when you’re doing well, you do your marketing when you’re busy etc, always do your bidding when you’re at your strongest then you’re in a position where you can get the best outcome.

If you wait till you need a deal, you’ll take the first deal which is usually the worst deal.

Utter & complete cobblers, you don’t do marketing unless you need to, it costs too much and you do it to court business or beat a competitor to win the consumer £.

Negotiating a contract is a completely different scenario.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Utter & complete cobblers, you don’t do marketing unless you need to, it costs too much and you do it to court business or beat a competitor to win the consumer £.

Negotiating a contract is a completely different scenario.

Advice I received years ago, it might cost now but didn’t then.

Quoted from ginnywings

I think what he actually said was that you don't take investment when you need it, you take it when you don't. Something he has said before in other interviews.

Seems counter intuitive, but I think what he is trying to get at is that you then take it on your own terms and not when in a desperate situation which allows others to have a hold on you. Build your brand and then accept people who want to be a part of it, and not because they see a way of elbowing their way in with shiny trinkets.

Dream on

Jesus.  Reading this thread alone it's no wonder Stockwood seems a bit rattled.

I'm not advocating an easy ride at all for him and 1878.  I think questions should be asked of them and there shouldn't be a perception that they can do no wrong.  They will get things wrong and I think they already have done.  They're human, no-one is perfect.

But christ almighty some of the things Stockwood is getting dug out for in this thread is pathetic.  Every time he puts a Guardian article out there's someone chipping away at him for it.  Every single point we drop, there's a dig...

A few people have hinted that he needs to block it out and grow thicker skin.  Not always that easy though.  If he turned round and said 'intercourse you, I don't need this excrement' no-one could blame him.

The comment on investment was probably a reference to the saying “repair and weatherproof your house roof in the summer”.  Not the winter.

Under the new owners we had early and unexpected successes on the field.  There was also a large increase in the number of STHs.  The success and increased financial income resulted in higher expectations from many fans.  (Rightly or wrongly). There was a strong feel good atmosphere.

Then it went wrong.  We got players in to strengthen but slipped badly to 4th to bottom.  Hurst was sacked.

As a backdrop to this the need to maintain BP drained valuable financial resources.  The club had to spend more than anticipated as a result of many years of underfunding and neglect by the previous regime.  ( Toilets are WIP but still outdated).

We climbed a big peak and then fell into a chasm. If we could control things it would have been better the other way round,