Give Groves A Chance - He Has Earned It!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 30/12/2001

THE SHOUTING is over now. The die is cast. Lennie Lawrence has gone and we have a new management team in Paul Groves and Graham Rodger. Some are happy with the changes, some less so.

But we cannot avoid the facts of life, and the facts of football for that matter. The inquests go on among the fans and opinions are being voiced supporting one faction or the other. But the inescapable facts are that the changes at Grimsby Town Football Club that have been long overdue have now been made.

Whichever faction we support, things will not change for the better without the fans and supporters getting behind the new team and giving them their unwavering support.

Life goes on. Lennie Lawrence knows that and accepted it as part of a manager's job in football. He has been in this position more than once in his career and as he moves on so do the Mariners. It is fair that supporters remember the good things that Lawrence did for this club and there were many, but managers are judged by results and, in that area, LL failed to produce the goods.

Paul Groves has been a loyal servant to the club as a player and captain. He is well respected by players and supporters so there can be no question about his commitment or integrity.

So it is out with the old and in with the new.

Only time will tell if Groves is managerial material. We all hope that he is and that he will bring success to the club. But he will need assistance to do that. He will need the support of the board and the fans and supporters.

Paul Groves should be given every chance to succeed! Do not let us fail him through apathy. That is not the way forward. What we need right now is a huge swell of support at Blundell Park for the new management team and the players on the field. (That alone is worth a point or two and we all know how badly we need them.) There has been too much silence at Blundell Park lately!!

So that is the challenge! A new team, a new year and a new direction!

Will you be there? Will your voice be heard?

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