Holloway's statement  (merged)

It carries on if you click on the link

Here you go

To the fans of Grimsby Town Football Club.

Let me say, first and foremost, that I’m not going anywhere unless I’m told to. The love that you, the fans, have shown myself and my family since my arrival has exceeded even my highest expectations, on and off the pitch.
However, of late, developments away from the football itself have made it increasingly difficult to work to full potential on a day-to-day basis and, most importantly, place this club on an honest, positive, front footing. This is as frustrating to me as much as any fan.

Those who own this club, and those who makes noises about wanting to own this club, have been playing politics with something that is very precious to this community, and it must stop now.

Mistakes have been made, undoubtedly, and while there is certainly enough mud to sling, I instead want to use this chance to appeal to everybody who holds the current and future fate of Grimsby Town in their hands to stand up tall, communicate candidly with the fans and make amends for the past few months. Earn back their trust and respect. This is your challenge.

We are where we are, but I’m not walking away from the fight. However, at the same time, I have been around long enough to know that you, the fans, need to know where I stand. And I stand with you.

Going forward, I shall use my social media more regularly to communicate.

As manager of this club, I will now focus solely on the football and I ask all fans to rally behind the players, as I know you will

It has not been the start to the season we had hoped for, but there is a long way to go, and we must all pull together.

I genuinely believe in the potential of this club, but we need to do better, beginning at the top, and that’s the gauntlet I throw down today.

Finally, if speaking this openly brings about my demise then so be it. I’m not here for the money, and I’ve made mistakes in not communicating fully before in my career, and I won’t make that mistake again.
The most important thing to me is that the fans feel that they can trust myself and my team, win or lose, rain or shine.

Up The Mariners

FFS

“Nuffin to do wiv me bruv”

Here you go

To the fans of Grimsby Town Football Club.

Let me say, first and foremost, that I’m not going anywhere unless I’m told to. The love that you, the fans, have shown myself and my family since my arrival has exceeded even my highest expectations, on and off the pitch.
However, of late, developments away from the football itself have made it increasingly difficult to work to full potential on a day-to-day basis and, most importantly, place this club on an honest, positive, front footing. This is as frustrating to me as much as any fan.

Those who own this club, and those who makes noises about wanting to own this club, have been playing politics with something that is very precious to this community, and it must stop now.

Mistakes have been made, undoubtedly, and while there is certainly enough mud to sling, I instead want to use this chance to appeal to everybody who holds the current and future fate of Grimsby Town in their hands to stand up tall, communicate candidly with the fans and make amends for the past few months. Earn back their trust and respect. This is your challenge.

We are where we are, but I’m not walking away from the fight. However, at the same time, I have been around long enough to know that you, the fans, need to know where I stand. And I stand with you.

Going forward, I shall use my social media more regularly to communicate.

As manager of this club, I will now focus solely on the football and I ask all fans to rally behind the players, as I know you will

It has not been the start to the season we had hoped for, but there is a long way to go, and we must all pull together.

I genuinely believe in the potential of this club, but we need to do better, beginning at the top, and that’s the gauntlet I throw down today.

Finally, if speaking this openly brings about my demise then so be it. I’m not here for the money, and I’ve made mistakes in not communicating fully before in my career, and I won’t make that mistake again.
The most important thing to me is that the fans feel that they can trust myself and my team, win or lose, rain or shine.

Up The Mariners

Think that nails his colours to the mast. Now go beat Scunny.

Two fingers up to fenty and righty so! Fenty out!!

Fenty out

Is it just me or has IH stick the boot in on JSF a little there??...🤔🤔🤭

Well it says exactly what it needed to say. It challenges the owners and prospective owners to engage with the fans. No more Fenty the Custodian, treat the fans as stakeholders, understand that it’s us that keeps the club afloat.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Is it just me or has IH stick the boot in on JSF a little there??...🤔🤔🤭

Stabbed his pal firmly in the back

‘Gauntlet’ thrown to the ‘top’.
Blue touch paper lit.
Let’s see what the ‘top’ does!

Quoted from Ipswin

Stabbed his pal firmly in the back

I'd say he's stabbed him face on, looking squarely into his eyes tbh. Well judged statement as it goes. apart from the bit where he hopes JF, PD and SM (the top) can regain the fans' trust..

Quoted from Ipswin

FFS

FFS

my immediate thought was ; 'welcome to our world Ian'

looks like the scales may have dropped from his eyes. i'm sure if he researched ,and spoke to, the Holy Trinity he would come away a lot more reassured

I wonder who wrote it for him, he sure as hell didn't!

Quoted from Ipswin

Stabbed his pal firmly in the back

No, he’s stabbed him in the front. And rightly so. Ollie’s reputation has been tarnished by association. Ollie is just setting the record straight about his opinion on Fenty’s actions. And he added a put up or shut up message for Shutes  and co while he was at it.

Quoted from Ipswin

I wonder who wrote it for him, he sure as hell didn't!

He was open about the fact a journalist friend was going to write it if you bothered to listen to the interview he did with Matt Dean earlier.

I imagine it was the guy who he did his podcast with.

bit rubbish if you ask me, hasnt stabbed anyone at all, just wants issues sorted, and fans kept informed ( which i totally agree with)

other than that, more interested in the side he has in mind for Saturday's defeat

He's with us, that's the most important thing, good statement and absolutely necessary.

I thought he called us a 'well-run club' a few months ago...

He's obviously become better acquainted with John since then.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

He's with us, that's the most important thing, good statement and absolutely necessary.

course he is, he has nowhere else to go.

Well he's made it impossible for the current board to sack him however the results go

Quoted from Boris Johnson

course he is, he has nowhere else to go.

STOP PRESS: he earned a lot more doing Quest and other media stuff than he does managing us. And he will do again if he leaves us.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

He was open about the fact a journalist friend was going to write it if you bothered to listen to the interview he did with Matt Dean earlier.

I imagine it was the guy who he did his podcast with.

I am well aware of that. Shame the eight ignorant fornicators who red x me didn't

Quoted from GollyGTFC

STOP PRESS: he earned a lot more doing Quest and other media stuff than he does managing us. And he will do again if he leaves us.

Doesn’t take a genius to work out it’s probably left him worse off financially coming here.

Plus the selling up back home!

Quoted from Ipswin

FFS

I guess we have got to the point when people see your name and red cross you regardless.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Is it just me or has IH stick the boot in on JSF a little there??...🤔🤔🤭

the anti fenty group will of course jump to that conclusion, that statement is pretty rubbish really.  There is no admittance or denial from him in regards to the potential investment. Ive said all along if he knew, then he has to go, if he didnt he can simply say so. He's done niether, and leaves a lot of questions unfortunately unanswered.

Im afraid he isnt fit to manage the club, and I hope that whoever is in charge over the coming months, sees this, and does the necessary thing.

Quoted from thefish

I thought he called us a 'well-run club' a few months ago...

He's obviously become better acquainted with John since then.

What changed I wonder?

“The club is so brilliantly run. The best I have ever seen – it really is. We are so ahead of the game it is unbelievable,”
“When I first came here it was like ‘John Fenty is the anti-Christ’. Well I can tell you he is one of the nicest blokes I’ve met.
“I’m even more doubly determined to make sure we have a bright future.
“Financially – we know what we are doing. We have got a director who is an accountant (Stephen Marley), we have got a major shareholder who is the deputy leader of the council (John Fenty) and a wonderful solicitor (Philip Day) as our chairman.
“They are people-orientated and not selfish, so I am absolutely delighted to be part of Grimsby Town.
“I can see us going forward because I think our heart is in exactly the right place.”

Quoted from chipsandgravy

I guess we have got to the point when people see your name and red cross you regardless.

goes with the terrority

Quoted from Boris Johnson

course he is, he has nowhere else to go.

Oh just feck off Boris you fecking child!

It’s openly critical of our owners. Not something that we’ve ever seen before and I can’t imagine Fenty is happy.

Good to see that he realises things are not right. I was worried he would come out and defend them.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

STOP PRESS: he earned a lot more doing Quest and other media stuff than he does managing us. And he will do again if he leaves us.

you know what i meant

Where he states it could bring his demise means the gauntlet has been thrown down to Fenty doesn't it?

Keep calm Mr Fenty, conclude the negotiations with the new consortium and leave with some dignity.

Quoted from Stadium

What changed I wonder?

“The club is so brilliantly run. The best I have ever seen – it really is. We are so ahead of the game it is unbelievable,”
“When I first came here it was like ‘John Fenty is the anti-Christ’. Well I can tell you he is one of the nicest blokes I’ve met.
“I’m even more doubly determined to make sure we have a bright future.
“Financially – we know what we are doing. We have got a director who is an accountant (Stephen Marley), we have got a major shareholder who is the deputy leader of the council (John Fenty) and a wonderful solicitor (Philip Day) as our chairman.
“They are people-orientated and not selfish, so I am absolutely delighted to be part of Grimsby Town.
“I can see us going forward because I think our heart is in exactly the right place.”

He found out that the non chairman was planning to go into business with and accept money from a convicted fraudster?

Well I’d be interested to hear JFs retort but I’d guess we won’t unless he blurts out one of his post 2 bottles of wine statements at about 11pm

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

He found out that the non chairman was planning to go into business with and accept money from a convicted fraudster?

or he knew about it all along, and is a bit miffed he didnt get the training ground

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

Well I’d be interested to hear JFs retort but I’d guess we won’t unless he blurts out one of his post 2 bottles of wine statements at about 11pm

that would just about be the icing on the cake

It's a fantastic, well thought out statement from Ollie which gets the fans right on board (it does me anyway).

He doesn't need telling that it's not been good enough and unlike others before him, he openly admits it instead of hiding behind it.

He's sided with the fans here and for me this only ends one way for John Fenty. Ollie knows that Fenty can't sack him for this and Fenty has been outed once again. The fact Ollie said he could sling mud but doesn't want to, suggests there is mud to be slung right in JSF's face.

I mentioned previously, it's an absolute mess at the minute but it's weirdly enjoyable to watch because it's resulting in Fenty's demise.

Quoted from Mikey_345

Doesn’t take a genius to work out it’s probably left him worse off financially coming here.

Plus the selling up back home!

House-wise he’ll get more for his money in Grimsby area than he did in Bath.

Quoted from Boris Johnson

or he knew about it all along, and is a bit miffed he didnt get the training ground

You may be right but I am not at all surprised that the non chairman is a copper bottomed sh*t gibbon. I would be more surprised that Holloway is - he's a heart-on-his-sleeve guy.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

House-wise he’ll get more for his money in Grimsby area than he did in Bath.

But he'll live in Grimsby.....

He has a way with words without doubt and means what he says. But is being determined and resolute and casting his lot with the fans enough if we keep losing games?

Quoted from GrimRob

He has a way with words without doubt and means what he says. But is being determined and resolute and casting his lot with the fans enough if we keep losing games?

In the end, no, but how can ANY manager succeed with Fenty running the club? When I say succeed, I mean to finish in the top half of league 2.

"Those who own this club, and those who makes noises about wanting to own this club, have been playing politics with something that is very precious to this community, and it must stop now"


Whilst he was quite candid, I would like to hear a bit more as to why those who want to own the club have been playing politics. I thought any offer from them had been rejected by the current board of shysters, at least we know they were in bed with a convicted criminal.



"

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

You may be right but I am not at all surprised that the non chairman is a copper bottomed sh*t gibbon. I would be more surprised that Holloway is - he's a heart-on-his-sleeve guy.

Why cant anyone just say sorry lads.....we copulated up?  We did not do the relevant checks, and we underestimated the depth of feeling in the Town. So much left unanswered. Sat in the dark and fed bullshit week after week, non statement after non statement.....you are all kidding yourself if the Holy Trinity will be any different, they wont.

Quoted from GrimRob

He has a way with words without doubt and means what he says. But is being determined and resolute and casting his lot with the fans enough if we keep losing games?

He was determined and resolute when he came here and took a shite side into one that was a joy to watch at times.

He then got absolutely shafted by our incompetent board who failed to retain any of our players and set the club up with a plan that was probably titled 'Don't be last'. I've no doubt Ollie has made some howlers but I've also no doubt that he's had his hands tied behind his back for the majority.

Quoted from Boris Johnson

Why cant anyone just say sorry lads.....we copulated up?  We did not do the relevant checks, and we underestimated the depth of feeling in the Town. So much left unanswered. Sat in the dark and fed bullshit week after week, non statement after non statement.....you are all kidding yourself if the Holy Trinity will be any different, they wont.

Well, after 17 years of this shite, I'm happy for them to try and prove you wrong.

Spot on Ollie.......well said

A genuine from the heart response which certainly clears the air from his point of view.

I stand by him .........no doubt I will get plenty of red crosses

We are all supporters so let’s stop the morning and support the team.....

UTM

Sorry. Call me mr cynical but I’m not convinced about this PR statement.

Quoted from Boris Johnson

course he is, he has nowhere else to go.

And you know everything don’t you

👍

Quoted from MNH1972

And you know everything don’t you

I actually dont, certainly not the questions i want answered

If Carlsberg could own a Club.......

Boris, about the virus injection, ive told your nurse exactly where to stick it on you

Quoted from dicko995

If Carlsberg could own a Club.......

Well, GTFC can't organize a p*ss up in a brewery.....

Quoted from Boris Johnson

bit rubbish if you ask me, hasnt stabbed anyone at all, just wants issues sorted, and fans kept informed ( which i totally agree with)

other than that, more interested in the side he has in mind for Saturday's defeat

Who the fcuk's going to ask you.. lol!

It is so disheartening to read all of this. I haven't the deep knowledge that most of the members have on this Board but it is still the club I follow.
It beggars belief all the politics and you wonder why people wish to invest in the club. Do they truly have the club at heart? Ot is it about themselves?
I genuinely thought we had turned the corner when Olllie first arrived and we at last started to pick up regular points. I thought the arrest of the long slide (since we were relegated from the Championship) was at last over.
I hope he does not go, but it must be wearing him down with trying to manage the team with all this political stuff going on.
It's an ongoing nightmare and very sad. I wonder what it would cost for the fans to buy the club?

I think he’s being quite clever here, stage 1 of his exit strategy so he can leave without it being any of his fault, queue the “position untenable” statement from him when we fail miserably on Saturday.

Quoted from hampshiremariner

It is so disheartening to read all of this. I haven't the deep knowledge that most of the members have on this Board but it is still the club I follow.
It beggars belief all the politics and you wonder why people wish to invest in the club. Do they truly have the club at heart? Ot is it about themselves?
I genuinely thought we had turned the corner when Olllie first arrived and we at last started to pick up regular points. I thought the arrest of the long slide (since we were relegated from the Championship) was at last over.
I hope he does not go, but it must be wearing him down with trying to manage the team with all this political stuff going on.
It's an ongoing nightmare and very sad. I wonder what it would cost for the fans to buy the club?

hampshire, have a look at the backgrounds of the gang of 3. Have a look at their achievements, their twitter feeds and videos etc. Have a read of the articles they've written or had written about them and then contrast with what you know and have experienced of JSF

Unexpectedly (from me anyway) the club's social media accounts have now posted graphics of or links to Holloways statement.

Quoted from Tommy

Unexpectedly (from me anyway) the club's social media accounts have now posted graphics of or links to Holloways statement.

interesting

Quoted from pontoonlew

He was determined and resolute when he came here and took a shite side into one that was a joy to watch at times.

He then got absolutely shafted by our incompetent board who failed to retain any of our players and set the club up with a plan that was probably titled 'Don't be last'. I've no doubt Ollie has made some howlers but I've also no doubt that he's had his hands tied behind his back for the majority.

The fact remains that he has spent almost the entire wage cap on the players we have in the squad. No board could have given him more money because that's the upper limit and if a new board comes in they'll have the same constraint. I am no fan of the board we have but most of the day to day decisions are made by the manager not the board. Ideally we get a new board and a new manager.

Yes we played some nice stuff last season when we were in a mid-table position and had nothing to lose, but that's irrelevant now we're in a relegation battle now and can't afford that luxury.

For me, this is the last nail in John Fenty's coffin when associated with GTFC. Nothing will happen regarding Holloway leaving his job, the board wouldn't want the uproar of him being sacked for expressing his, and the majority of fans opinion!

Holloway's knackered if the new owners expect loyalty

Well we did tell him he does not know Fenty  like we do.

He does now it seems.

For Ollies sake  I hope this deal goes through (for all our sakes ) because Fenty will choose a time of his choosing and give Ollie the sack even if results pick up and we are mid table.  

Come on gang of three push this deal through the fans are behind you .

Apart from the Fenty lovers but there are not many of them.

Quoted from pontoonlew

It's a fantastic, well thought out statement from Ollie which gets the fans right on board (it does me anyway).

He doesn't need telling that it's not been good enough and unlike others before him, he openly admits it instead of hiding behind it.

He's sided with the fans here and for me this only ends one way for John Fenty. Ollie knows that Fenty can't sack him for this and Fenty has been outed once again. The fact Ollie said he could sling mud but doesn't want to, suggests there is mud to be slung right in JSF's face.

I mentioned previously, it's an absolute mess at the minute but it's weirdly enjoyable to watch because it's resulting in Fenty's demise.

I think JF already has previous of removing "employees" who dont tow the party line hasnt he ?  Was it the SLO or Mighty that got it for being too "fan focussed instead of being club focussed" ?

Quoted from moosey_club

I think JF already has previous of removing "employees" who dont tow the party line hasnt he ?  Was it the SLO or Mighty that got it for being too "fan focussed instead of being club focussed" ?

Fan focused? Not sure that phrase has ever existed in JF world.

Now on BBC Sport.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55351591

Quoted from GrimRob

The fact remains that he has spent almost the entire wage cap on the players we have in the squad. No board could have given him more money because that's the upper limit and if a new board comes in they'll have the same constraint. I am no fan of the board we have but most of the day to day decisions are made by the manager not the board. Ideally we get a new board and a new manager.

Yes we played some nice stuff last season when we were in a mid-table position and had nothing to lose, but that's irrelevant now we're in a relegation battle now and can't afford that luxury.

I think the Covid clause might have been a more significant blocker.

Wow, well said and there’s no shying away for Fenty from this......

Quoted from arryarryarry

"Those who own this club, and those who makes noises about wanting to own this club, have been playing politics with something that is very precious to this community, and it must stop now"


Whilst he was quite candid, I would like to hear a bit more as to why those who want to own the club have been playing politics. I thought any offer from them had been rejected by the current board of shysters, at least we know they were in bed with a convicted criminal.
"

My interpretation of that line is that Holloway believes the present situation needs to be resolved quickly and there is a deal which can be done if all parties to it are prepared to put their egos aside and compromise where necessary.

Having spent the last few days feeling utterly disillusioned with the club, to the point where I have considered adopting a not a penny more stance until the present regime is removed, Holloway's statement struck exactly the right tone for me as a supporter. But, more than that, I think it has nailed his colours firmly to the mast of change and may actually serve to hasten the change that I believe the vast majority of the fans want to see. If the board are stupid enough to sack Holloway now, I would anticipate uproar among the fans. If they do nothing, their credibility is completely shot. It's time they bowed to the inevitable and give this club the chance of a fresh start.

Ollie has made a number of mistakes in the players he has brought in, he is admitting that which is unusual for a Manager, and no matter what some may believe he came here for a “Football Project”, he didn’t have to either professionally or financially but it’s clear footballs in his blood and he honestly thinks the world of town fans.

To come here he has left his children, the area he has grown up in and a pretty fantastic house ( I looked it up after seeing his address on the issue of shares or directors) so nobody can doubt his commitment or that he needs the money. Guess talksport, Quest and after dinner speaking rakes in a lot more than managing town and despite this weeks crap he still wants to be here so on that front I am 100% behind him.

However, like any football manager the criteria for success is only judged on the pitch with results and to date this season they aren’t good enough for any Manager to survive whatever commitment they have made. After today’s interview I believe he recognises what we need to address our problems and I just retain enough faith in him to allow the January window to turn things around. He might be as mad as a hatter but I certainly want the guy to succeed as I think it would be a very enjoyable journey albeit all four tyres are currently flat and we appear to have not applied the handbrake on a steep hill and rolling backwards. Come on Ollie beat those Scunts on Saturday

Quoted from Ipswin

Holloway's knackered if the new owners expect loyalty

I voted not to ban you but I wish I hadn't.  

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I voted not to ban you but I wish I hadn't.  

You can always change your mind, our manager clearly has.

Quoted from ginnywings

Think that nails his colours to the mast. Now go beat Scunny.

Agree. Think the best way to end this unedifying week is to beat the Scunts. Will make next week seem so much better!

Quoted from GrimRob

The fact remains that he has spent almost the entire wage cap on the players we have in the squad. No board could have given him more money because that's the upper limit and if a new board comes in they'll have the same constraint. I am no fan of the board we have but most of the day to day decisions are made by the manager not the board. Ideally we get a new board and a new manager.

Yes we played some nice stuff last season when we were in a mid-table position and had nothing to lose, but that's irrelevant now we're in a relegation battle now and can't afford that luxury.

Incorrect. We’re absolutely nowhere near the salary cap of £1.5m.

It's a good, and carefully considered statement, so credit to him for that. Looking at it completely objectively though, it's also very clever in what it does.

Realistically, he had to say something at some point. In terms of his position, he simply could not have appeared to side with Fenty and the board - that would have been tantamount to endorsing a man convicted of scamming vulnerable, elderly people. That's not compatible with his image, nor his career in punditry.

What he's done in siding with the fans and deriding the club's ownership is two things. On the one hand, he's bought himself some good will from the fans and more time with which to try and turn things around, which was beginning to rapidly run out and may well have become terminal were we to be humbled by Scunny on Saturday. He'll almost certainly survive the weekend now, whatever the result.

That is of course unless Fenty takes the bold and risky move of removing Holloway from his position for his insubordination. That would be a pretty cataclysmic PR disaster for Fenty, but he's a wounded animal backed into an increasingly tight corner right now and hasty, emotional reactions would not me surprise me one bit. It's not like he's not got form for it.

Should that happen, the record will state that Holloway was sacked for speaking out against crooked owners, not footballing reasons, and he leaves with his record and integrity intact.

Let me be clear about this, this takes nothing away from the sentiment of the statement which I believe is entirely genuine, however there's a reason he's taken time and professional advice in constructing it. It is very clever in all of the levers it pulls.

Tomorrow could be interesting.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

But he'll live in Grimsby.....

Exactly! There’s a reason Jane Austen set ‘Emma’ in Bath and not Grimsby! 😂😳

I think credit where credits due, he’s put out a statement, he’s made his feelings known and at least he doesn’t think entertaining Mr May was a good idea.

As Poojah said, he’s also bought himself some time and perhaps it’s a subtle way of apologising for making rash statements about being the best run club, not wanting to work under anyone but Fenty etc.

I think he’s probably seen since April just how backward thinking, penny pinching and unreasonable the board is. I’ve never doubted that Holloway thinks about other people but through all this the club have been exposed as being the opposite, perhaps that doesn’t sit right with him.

Of course Holloway is rightfully under pressure, he still signed those players and the set up of the team etc sits at his feet but at least he’s saying he doesn’t necessarily support the regime.

Either Olly is totally in cahoots with the current regime & is being used to appear as the "good guy" - or is the straight forward honest chap we need. I prefer to believe in the latter.

Ipswin and BJ why the flock are you 2 on here ,all you do is spew bile, you wanted answers and too hear from Olly ,well you got it but it isn't enough for you ,the pair off you are pathetic
i hope he stays at Town and turns us around ,if for no other reason than to stick it the pair off you
,f@4koff and support someone else you pair off masturbaters

IAN HOLLOWAYS BLACK AND WHITE ARMY

I like the statement but the fact it has been posted on Twitter and Facebook by the official club site gives me a slight feeling of unease.

Make at many statements as u want
Put your energies into earning the team points please IH
Actions Speak Louder than Words

Quoted from forza ivano

hampshire, have a look at the backgrounds of the gang of 3. Have a look at their achievements, their twitter feeds and videos etc. Have a read of the articles they've written or had written about them and then contrast with what you know and have experienced of JSF

Thanks, Forza. My comment about ownership was questioning the guy the Board turned down amid all the bad publicity for the club. My problem is I do not have a handle on all the stuff that is going on. I'm 73  and looking from a distance and just wanting my club to win a few points. It makes you think why is the club always swimming in a sea of crap?

Holloway is correct when he talks about the importance of a football club to the community. And this is not just any club; it has a proud history and seen success but at the moment all we see is regression. No progress. Fifteen years at least of dire stuff.

You also look at other clubs who somehow have come back from bad times against the odds. Brighton, Doncaster and Hull. The latter were locked out of the University's facilities for not paying the rent but somehow re-emerged with a new stadium. Rotherham have a new stadium. We were told we would get a new stadium in 2001 but look at what has happened.

Down here in the south I have to suffer Eastleigh fans telling me that Grimsby are crap and they are better! That is hard to take.

Quoted from hampshiremariner

Thanks, Forza. My comment about ownership was questioning the guy the Board turned down amid all the bad publicity for the club. My problem is I do not have a handle on all the stuff that is going on. I'm 73  and looking from a distance and just wanting my club to win a few points. It makes you think why is the club always swimming in a sea of crap?

Holloway is correct when he talks about the importance of a football club to the community. And this is not just any club; it has a proud history and seen success but at the moment all we see is regression. No progress. Fifteen years at least of dire stuff.

You also look at other clubs who somehow have come back from bad times against the odds. Brighton, Doncaster and Hull. The latter were locked out of the University's facilities for not paying the rent but somehow re-emerged with a new stadium. Rotherham have a new stadium. We were told we would get a new stadium in 2001 but look at what has happened.

Down here in the south I have to suffer Eastleigh fans telling me that Grimsby are crap and they are better! That is hard to take.

Tell those Eastleigh fans we have spent many years in the top flight, many years in the championship, been to 2 FA cup semi-finals and hold the record crowd at Old Trafford. Tell them in the last 20 years we have beaten both Liverpool and Tottenham and have played all the major clubs in England many, many times and have been o Wembley more times than we care to remember. Then ask what have Eastleigh done.  

Its just a blip. A long blip granted, but just a blip.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

I like the statement but the fact it has been posted on Twitter and Facebook by the official club site gives me a slight feeling of unease.

That's a symptom of how badly the club is run. The club's media management has been woeful for years and whoever runs it thinks it makes sense to post quotes openly criticising the board. F@cking hopeless.

Quoted from Poojah

It's a good, and carefully considered statement, so credit to him for that. Looking at it completely objectively though, it's also very clever in what it does.

Realistically, he had to say something at some point. In terms of his position, he simply could not have appeared to side with Fenty and the board - that would have been tantamount to endorsing a man convicted of scamming vulnerable, elderly people. That's not compatible with his image, nor his career in punditry.

What he's done in siding with the fans and deriding the club's ownership is two things. On the one hand, he's bought himself some good will from the fans and more time with which to try and turn things around, which was beginning to rapidly run out and may well have become terminal were we to be humbled by Scunny on Saturday. He'll almost certainly survive the weekend now, whatever the result.

That is of course unless Fenty takes the bold and risky move of removing Holloway from his position for his insubordination. That would be a pretty cataclysmic PR disaster for Fenty, but he's a wounded animal backed into an increasingly tight corner right now and hasty, emotional reactions would not me surprise me one bit. It's not like he's not got form for it.

Should that happen, the record will state that Holloway was sacked for speaking out against crooked owners, not footballing reasons, and he leaves with his record and integrity intact.

Let me be clear about this, this takes nothing away from the sentiment of the statement which I believe is entirely genuine, however there's a reason he's taken time and professional advice in constructing it. It is very clever in all of the levers it pulls.

Tomorrow could be interesting.

ffs poojah, how do you always manage to set down the situation in a way that i wanted to, but was still trying to think how to express it?

Quoted from Stockport Mariner

Exactly! There’s a reason Jane Austen set ‘Emma’ in Bath and not Grimsby! 😂😳

I can’t believe that no one spotted the error in my post and pointed out that it wasn’t Emma that was set in Bath, but Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. What’s wrong with you all, have you no appreciation of 19th century English literature?!

Quoted from forza ivano

ffs poojah, how do you always manage to set down the situation in a way that i wanted to, but was still trying to think how to express it?

Nimble fingers. Just ask the wife.

Quoted from newarkmariner

Ipswin and BJ why the flock are you 2 on here ,all you do is spew bile, you wanted answers and too hear from Olly ,well you got it but it isn't enough for you ,the pair off you are pathetic
i hope he stays at Town and turns us around ,if for no other reason than to stick it the pair off you
,f@4koff and support someone else you pair off masturbaters

IAN HOLLOWAYS BLACK AND WHITE ARMY

Started early have we??

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

That's a symptom of how badly the club is run. The club's media management has been woeful for years and whoever runs it thinks it makes sense to post quotes openly criticising the board. F@cking hopeless.

Indicates or gives the impression it was a collaboration between all parties.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

That's a symptom of how badly the club is run. The club's media management has been woeful for years and whoever runs it thinks it makes sense to post quotes openly criticising the board. F@cking hopeless.

Maybe whoever posted it is rebelling against the ‘regime’ who might be looking for a new job soon.

Possible source of the leak about May.