Decision Day

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 09/10/2000

Today is decision day for Grimsby Town Football Club. The North East Lincolnshire Council (minus 12 participants) will discuss the findings of the report presented by Gerald Eve, the consultants appointed to recommend suitable sites to locate a new stadium for Grimsby Town Football Club.

NELC have previously released the report findings, which confirmed that the only suitable site for a new stadium in the entire county was the original proposed site at Great Coates. This finding came as no surprise as the result of the report commissioned by the club previous to their application to locate at Great Coates confirmed that this was the most suitable site. Nonetheless, despite the support of 90% of the population of the county in a poll conducted on behalf of the club, the NELC rejected the proposal 20-9 with 12 councilors not able to participate as it was ruled they had a vested interest. The popular opinion around today appears to be NELC will change their minds as they now have overwhelming evidence that shows the Great Coates site is the best site in that it is the only one that fits totally the criteria laid down by council. There can be no certainty as those councilors who we would hope to support the proposal have been disbarred once again. Although we can be optimistic, NELC have not demonstrated over the last few months that they have any concern for the football club or for the wishes of the people they serve. The councilors allowed to vote on this issue are the very ones who refused the first application despite the appointed Council Officials recommending acceptance. It seems that they complied with the wishes of a minority group of Great Coates residents and ignored the majority view of the people of North East Lincs despite the Great Coates ward voting in favour of the proposal in the polls conducted. Grimsby Town supporters will be waiting anxiously for the outcome of this meeting. It is hoped that they will be attending the meeting at the Grimsby Town Hall tonight at 7.00pm to confirm their solidarity in support of the club. We can ill afford the Great Coates NIMBY's winning another round in this fight!

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