Fenty Threatens to Quit

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 02/10/2008

GRIMSBY Chairman John Fenty says he is prepared to give up his position if a replacement were to come forward. Mr Fenty feels that the council's continual blocking of Town's new stadium plans as well as mounting criticism of the way the club is run is "a neverending nightmare".

The Town Chairman told Mariners World: "You end up asking questions of your sanity and what you are actually achieving. I could have stayed in the fish business but chose to try to make a difference locally. I've left that and got involved in something that right now is, frankly, a neverending nightmare."

Fenty is particular is stung by the rumours that he is trying to make money out of Grimsby's proposed relocation. "I face the regular criticism that I am trying to relocate the stadium for personal gain when nothing could be further from the truth," said Fenty,

The chairman also hit out at the ongoing situation with the council and its delaying tactics over Town's new ground,

"There simply isn't support for the way we have been performing on the pitch nor the facility we play from. Blundell Park is not acceptable in modern-day terms and to that extent the club is uneconomic and cannot compete.

"We need a council that speaks with one voice to tell us what they actually support and if they really want a professional football club locally or not. Surely nobody wants it to go the way of the fishing industry. Findus and Birdseye to name a few."

Fenty acknowledges that mistakes have been made, but feels that the criticism he faces is invariably made from the perspective of hindsight,

"Yes, we have made decisions and with the benefit of hindsight they may have been chosen differently. As it stands, they are scrutinised, that we have to accept. I bet that if we sat down to explain the circumstances around how those decisions were made then most would agree with the logic behind them.

On the new manager, who is expected to be appointed next week, Fenty said:

"Whoever we appoint it is going to be expensive, whether it was an internal or external appointment. To say we are looking to take the cheap option is grossly unfair. To get this football club out of this current mess will cost a fortune whoever is appointed."

Fenty concluded by appealing for understanding and unity.

"We have faced some monumental problems over recent years which offer in themselves no mitigation. We all want better. That we understand. It just needs everybody to come together and get behind the club. Only that way can we move forward on the pitch and, hopefully, off it with the new stadium."

Grim Rob Says: It really has been depressing following Town over the last few years, but we will eventually come out the other side I am sure. Everyone, including the chairman, has to keep the faith. It's always tempting to throw the towel in whatever your level of commitment to the club. Whoever the board appoints as a manager we have to get behind 100%, whatever style of football is adopted. There's still plenty of time for this season to be a success, however hopeless the league table looks right now.

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