Cod Almighty | Diary
Diary - Wednesday 21 May 2008
21 May 2008
As regular readers will be aware, the Diary is something of a Fentydome-sceptic. While I accept that my preference for stadiums with character and distinctiveness over big generic metal boxes is not shared by all, there seem to me to be unresolved issues relating to the financing of Town's proposed new ground which are of concern to all the club's supporters. It was with some gladness, then, that I received word the other week from a close associate of the CA team that his contact at Castlemore Securities, the firm engaged by GTFC to develop the Fentydome site, would be prepared to answer some questions from us about the whole thing.
Shortly afterwards, however, it transpired that Castlemore was planning merely to issue a press release instead, which the company did earlier this week. Undeterred, CA's man pressed home our questions regardless - and now the Diary is able to bring you Castlemore's responses word for word!
Q: Who's going to own the ground? If it's not the club, then what will the terms of the lease be (annual rent, duration, other conditions)?
A: The club
Q: Who will own the training pitches and facilities that are planned?
A: The club
Q: Will the development allow the club to make any revenue at all beyond matchday income at the ground?
A: Yes
Q: What is the financial exposure of the football club to this project? In other words, is the club either responsible for any costs or a guarantor?
A: No comment
Q: What's the situation with any interested parties for the 'enabling development' (i.e. the retail units)?
A: No comment
If the above fails to fill you with confidence, rest assured that your doubts seem to be shared by Grimsby Town Football Club. According to the club's superb new official website, the Mariners' club shop is to be closed for two weeks from Monday 26 May "while it undergoes a complete refit" - hardly an investment decision one would anticipate from a business expecting to relocate shortly to new premises. I could understand a quick paint and plaster job if the club shop were falling apart, but the place always looks smart enough to the Diary when I'm in there. Still, it buys a bit of time to think about what colour paper the season tickets should be printed on this summer.
"Given his extremely gloomy tone in the last few weeks," begins an email from Sue Firth, "I'm starting to have concerns for the mental health of the Diary. I'm wondering how highly he would score on the Beck Depression Inventory at the moment. Is there anything, apart from a supply of Prozac or maybe clubbing together to buy Town some new players, we readers could do to lift the Diary's mood?" Well, thanks for your concern, Sue, but as the Diary's gran used to say, there's nowt wrong wi' me - it's just the rest on 'em. I don't really know what she meant but it sounds vaguely apposite. Do feel free to pop over with a few tinnies one night though!