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Battle of the Boardroom: The Key Moments

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 14/07/2001

The Battle of the Boardroom began in 1999 when Brian Huxford, Fred Clyburn and Peter Furneaux gained control from Bill Carr's regime. Since then the battle has smoldered in the background, frequently rising to the fore, and this week culminated in Bryan Huxford's failed bid to takeover GTFC.

The following table shows some of the key moments so far in the epic battle of the GTFC boardroom!

16 December 1999"New board" TakeoverThe then new board take over en masse from the regime led by Bill Carr.
22 January 2000Bad Finances RevealedThe new board reveal that the company's finances were not in good order as Bill Carr had claimed.
26 January 2000Old Board: ResignThe old board call on the new board to resign.
16 February 2000Five New Directors!The new board announce five new faces, most of whom were never heard from again.
17 February 2000Big Mac "Appointment"The board announce that Lawrie McMenemy has agreed to join the club as an advisor. He never came.
22 May 2000Rights Issues AnnouncedThe board decide to raise £500K from shareholders via a rights issue to contribute towards the cost of the new ground
18 June 2000New TV Deal AnnouncedA new £2m a year TV deal starting in the 2001-2002 season is announced. This money would be prove to invaluable!
15 June 2000King on BoardAlex King joins the GTFC board.
8 July 2000Annual Financial StatementThe club reveals it is losing £20,000 a week.
8 August 2000Rights Issue BlockedSupporters of the old board block the rights issue as the club's AGM.
22 August 2000Buckley SackedThe unthinkable happens and Alan Buckley is sacked after two games.
25 August 2000Lawrence AppointedThree days later a replacement is found!
6 December 2000NELC say "yes"!The infamous turnaround by NELC over the planning application for a new ground.
18 January 2001Dud's Back On Board!Major shareholder Dudley Ramdsen rejoins the board.
27 March 2001Huxford: "No Rush"Huxford remains incredibly relaxed despite the club's finances being in chaos and the spectre of relegation hovering over Grimsby.
28 March 2001Hux Slams "Apathy"!Huxford shows the strain turning on the "missing" fans, accusing them of an apathy which is destroying the club and their plans for the future.
7 May 2001Town Stay UpGrimsby Town defy the odds and manage somehow to avoid relegation, thus probably avoiding complete financial collapse.
14 May 2001Shock Announcement!Huxford: "GTFC Plc is currently engaged in high-level negotiations with the sports division of a large international private investment bank with the intention of introducing new international investors to the business."
16 May 2001Hux/Everitt ResignThe Chairman and Vice Chairman are forced to resign at an emergency board meeting.
22 June 2001Shock Hux Takeover Bid!Huxford announces plans to gain overall control of GTFC by buying shares in the company from existing investors.
23 June 2001Hux To Provide Soler Power?Maverick Norwegian business tycoon Erik Soler is revealed as the possible identify of Huxford's mysterious "backer".
6 July 2001Bill Carr and Co To Sell Shares To HuxfordBill Carr and some of his supporters surprisingly agree to sell their shares to Bryan Huxford.
11 July 2001City Gives Huxford the NodThe Takeovers and Mergers Panel formally back Huxford's plan to take control of Grimsby Town.
12 July 2001Bid Faces CrisisHuxford's plans hit a hitch when a major shareholder (believed to be Dudley Ramsden) asks for more than the offer price.
14 July 2001Huxford Withdraws OfferHuxford's withdraws his plans in view of not having reached the required level of shareholder support.

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