The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Is football a business or a sport?




 

Dear Mr Furneaux

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 13/09/2003

IN a short sighted move, Stuart Rowson, the sports writer at the Grimsby Telegraph has been banned by the club from Blundell Park due to what are described as inaccuracies in the story about the withdrawal of the ambulance services during football matches.

Home > Editorials > Dear Mr Furneaux


Shame on him Mr Furneaux!

However Mr Furneaux, there would have been no inaccuracies in the story if the club had done its duty and made an official announcement to the fans that the services were being withdrawn and that the club were placing both the players and the fans 'at risk' through the penny pinching decision to withdraw those services.

An act of stupidity compounded by the banning of Mr Rowson for reporting it.

But the club did not issue any statements or explanations of its decision and it was left to the Grimsby Telegraph, once again, to inform the fans and supporters of what is going on at Blundell Park.

Now if Mr Rowson made an error in his report, that was a mistake on his part. But you don't sack people for making mistakes Mr Furneaux. Because if you did, none of us would last a fortnight, and that would include you too.

".…Stuart Rowson is one of the club's greatest assets!…."

But these are not the only sins Mr Rowson has committed! Now would be a good time to remind you Mr Furneaux of his other faults.

Let me quote the Grimsby Telegraph here.

"Stuart Rowson is one of the club's greatest assets. While writing for the Telegraph for the last three seasons, Stuart Rowson has also simultaneously acted as an unpaid campaign manager for GTFC, generating news and raising awareness of the football club in the community. From the youngest school of excellence side right through to the first team, Stuart has worked tirelessly to ensure the Mariners have always been in the public eye."

"He has a great relationship with the manager, assistant manager, youth coach, physio, ground staff, all the players, the commercial and office staff."

"No plea for help in projecting the club has been ignored."

"From the Up The Mariners campaign, which helped ensure the club's survival in the 2001-2 season through to the current share issue appeal which poured £70,000 into the club's coffers (initiated with a £1,000 cheque from the Telegraph), Stuart has always been there for Grimsby Town and its fans."

".…Just when was the board going to tell you?…."

The fact is Mr Furneaux, Stuart Rowson reported on the decision by the club to remove a key element in the protection of the health and safety of players and attendees at Blundell Park on match days.

A vital service that one hopes will never be needed and, to quote the Grimsby Telegraph again; "We felt obliged to bring you this news, but one disturbing question remains. If we had not done so, just when was the board going to tell you?"

A very interesting question to which we have not yet received an answer!

They do say Mr Furneaux that there is no such thing as bad publicity, but the banning of Stuart Rowson has brought the club into the limelight for all the wrong reasons. It has converted Grimsby Town Football Club from being the flagship of Grimsby into the laughing stock of the borough!

As if a 1-8 score line was not enough!


What's your view on the club's decision? Send your views to the Grimsby Telegraph by fax on (01472) 372257, e-mail at sport@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, or by post to Sportsdesk, Grimsby Telegraph, 80 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, DN31 3EH.




Add To Facebook


This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!


Related Stories


Forum Latest
Thread TitlePostsLatest Post
Jason Stockwood54lukeo23/11 04:17
TV Games/Upcoming Fixtures3SiteBot23/11 03:30
Prediction Thread Colchester Home44Rasen 1723/11 00:33
40 years ago19Heswall Mariner22/11 22:10
Swindon  Appoint Holloway161Yoda22/11 22:06
BOXING DAY15barralad22/11 19:52
"Beat the Clock"  Colchester23Grimal22/11 18:26
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 42LocalLadGTFC22/11 18:14
Fun weather forecast for Saturday34Maringer22/11 17:36
Colchester Saturday19wuffing22/11 11:58