Massive Boost for Town With a Big Gift!

By: The Grimsby Telegraph
Date: 09/05/2005

THE name of the man behind a massive donation to keep Grimsby Town afloat has been revealed. He is Andrew Colin, who has swelled the club's coffers by pledging £50,000 to help settle its tax debt. And he is looking forward to giving the club a leg-up to climb up the Football League.

He told the Telegraph: "Hopefully next year we will strengthen the squad and turn around the recent fortunes

"Grimsby Town is a great community asset to the area and everyone should give as much support as they are able to help rebuild the club and its fortunes.

"I think the chairman is doing a great job in difficult circumstances. It's terrific to get involved and have the chance of offering my support."

Mr Colin's love affair with the club goes back to his childhood when he was brought up in Louth.

In his younger days he was a regular at Blundell Park and was first introduced to the club by his father, the former Bishop of Grimsby, the Rt Rev Gerald Colin, pictured.

Mr Colin left the area in 1980 going to university in London. He has since developed substantial business in his London development company Espalier.

He expressed an interest in helping the club and chief executive Ian Fleming passed his contact details to chairman John Fenty.

Mr Fenty and Mr Colin discussed the club's situation on the telephone. They both struck an instant rapport and Mr Fenty invited Mr Colin to the Cheltenham game in January.

Mr Colin, who lives in North Norfolk, was introduced to all of the directors and also met the manager just as the players had arrived back in the dressing room ready for a team talk.

"On leaving the dressing room Mr Colin wished the players and manager the best of luck," said Mr Fenty.

"He then shook Russell Slade's hand and said 'If you score three I will give you 50'.

"Puzzled by what Mr Colin said, everyone returned to the boardroom. The game finished 3-2, a Mariner's win.

"When he asked me the name of the campaign I looked down and Mr Colin had filled out a cheque for £50,000.

"It quickly dawned on me precisely what he had meant when he said 'if you score three I will give you 50'.

"The board were obviously delighted with the outcome of the game even more so when Mr Colin handed over a cheque for £50,000."

As for Mr Colin joining the board, he said: "That's really for the chairman. Who knows what will happen."

The campaign has raised approaching £75,000. The club is about 10 per cent of the way towards reaching its goal.

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