Tough Statement By Board: Sticking The Boot In!!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 27/05/2003

IN a strong statement today the Grimsby Town board have issued a warning to players that any problems with contracts and they will be out the door! Reaffirming that Paul Groves will be signing 10 new players, the board have made it quite clear there will be no nonsense from anyone!

The Grimsby Telegraph reports that everyone at Blundell Park has been threatened with the boot if they speak out of turn about this summer's transfer negotiations.

They also denied the Grimsby Telegraph claim of a U-turn over offers to skipper John McDermott and Stacy Coldicott.

A statement issued by the club said: "It is refuted that in the space of 24 hours the club performed a massive U-turn. This is simply not true. Last Thursday, after John McDermott's preferred option to join Hull was clearly off, Paul Groves contacted the board for the first time to say John was ready to sign subject to terms which he put to the board."

"After board consultation the board did not agree to the wage demands and one other point that John had put forward. Within 24 hours Paul Groves was asked to make an offer to both John McDermott and Stacy Coldicott which will be on the table for a limited time only."

"We hope that John McDermott and Stacy Coldicott continue to remain valued members of this football club."

"It is the board's view that the offers made to both players are good ones."

"With the loss of the ITV Digital money that represented 55 per cent of the club's income last season, added to the reduced income from relegation to the second division, is there any wonder that wages being offered now are going to be substantially lower than the existing wages that were set during the ITV era?"

"For clarification, if any person at the football club wishes to induce pressure on this board in the future by negotiating sensationally through the press, then they will be shown the door."

"The board has provided Paul Groves with a not insubstantial budget. New faces will be coming to Town. The intention is to build a squad of 25 players with the budget provided. We expect that 10 additional players will join the club before pre-season starts, with others to follow into the season."

"The club is stabilised. Share sales and season ticket sales are both ahead of expectation. We believe that we have turned the corner and the supporters can see that."

"Rebuilding the team must begin with a focus on the future."

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

• Town Signing Scunny Winger?
• Groves Wants Keane And Hughes!
• Player Deals Cut As Groves Clears Out Youngsters
• More Stories