Cod Almighty | Diary

Here's the key, there's the door

24 June 2019

Trentside Diary writes: I’m cautious as a cautiously cautious football supporter. There’s a glimmer of hope, a frisson of excitement, a tremble of anticipation. You never know. We’re not there yet but these are the most promising noises about the ownership of Town in the last 16 years. So promising that there was even a weekend diary. Can’t remember anything that exciting since the Grimsby Evening Telegraph put out an early edition covering a major lion incident in Victoria Street.

The Hully Gully Radio say they’ve contacted Town and the club began by putting out its usual "there has been interest but there’s nothing to report" line. Fenty has never liked that particular radio station but went on to give an interview this morning which has been summarised by the Telewag. Negotiations have been under way, but any takeover has not yet reached the Football League’s fit and proper test.

For its part, the Football League appears to approve anyone who can talk the talk. If you look at the mess some teams such as Blackpool have got into, they have an interesting idea of fit and proper. What matters is the calibre of whoever wants to take over. With what little we’ve gleaned about the prospective new owner, he could be just what we would be looking for.

I don’t want an oil-rich oligarch who pours money into the club until he gets bored and buggers off. I’d love to win the Euromillions when it’s a big week and buy the club myself but the chances of that are infinitesimally small. Attention from someone who has already been involved in the Greater Grimsby Town Deal and is genuinely interested in regeneration is a great place to begin.

There may not be millions invested but then there hasn’t been in reality for years. Run the club within its means, engage with and respect fans and local residents and any new owner would be on to a winner from the start. Mr Jolley is learning his craft but he’s the first manager we’ve had in a while who considers what he says and respects the fans as much as he does. An owner equally thoughtful who wants the club to be part of the community would be brilliant.

Quite a few fans have said they would think about getting a season ticket if Fenty goes. Good on them. I’ve never given mine up but I’ve thought about it every season for years and can quite understand why they don’t have one. It’s not just our poor performances on the pitch: it’s the lack of respect for the fans from the club and directors.

If he goes, I don’t believe it would be one of those occasions like when politicians die and suddenly everyone’s saying nice things, even though they hate them. It could a rebirth for the club and the fanbase. Many of us would be interested in being more involved but not with the current ownership. Engaging the fans of the future is a great idea and so many of us would get contribute knowing we have a club that is looking to the future.

I have one thing to say to Fenty: Go. Shut the door on your way out and don’t darken our door again. UTM!