Cod Almighty | Diary

My mother called me contrary Mary. It still stands.

13 May 2021

Trentside Diary writes: The change of ownership at the club has brought new interest in the Mariners Trust with over 1,400 Town fans now being members. I understand the enthusiasm, with the new owners encouraging fans to get involved as the "Mariners Trust are going to be primary way to make your voice heard". I can imagine that the trust representatives on the board are now going to be more than just tokenism and that is all to the positive.

Have I joined? Not yet. Am I contrary? Yes, almost certainly but I'm still not 100 per cent sure what their aims are or what they want to achieve.

Please take these comments in the spirit they are made: not knocking the individuals involved, or how much time and commitment they put into their roles, but I don't join an organisation if I'm not sure about its aims and objectives. Their stated mission is: "Our goal is to listen to the views of all supporters of Grimsby Town Football club and ensure these views are represented and heard within the football club." It doesn't seem unreasonable but doesn't say a lot. Perhaps this is something they are going to put more thought into.

If they do, the "Inclusive" core value could also do with a bit of an update. I had a look at a few other clubs and perhaps somewhere could provide a model for a bit of a refresh. Have a look at Hull and Forest. They couldn't be more different in their approaches but you get more of a sense of what they are about and the passion behind what they are doing.

I'll happily join and do the research for the trust if the commitment is there to modernise but for now I wish them well, and I'm biding my time. As the new trust board starts to settle in and things start to happen perhaps we'll see by their actions where they are going and their membership levels will reflect a higher percentage of the fans.

I’ll not repeat Daubney Diary's comments from yesterday but it’s heartening to see a few people say that they wouldn’t have a final go at players they didn't like when the retained list was published yesterday. I haven't delved too far into social media because ther's always those who can’t be civil, but mostly there were comments about others under contract who might also depart. On the whole it was fairly civilised. Maybe I didn't look hard enough but let the good vibes continue.

Fingers crossed the three offered contracts - Luke Hendrie, Elliott Hewitt, Giles Coke - stay and it's good to see the options on Ollie Battersby, Matt Pollock, Harry Clifton and Luke Spokes taken up. Maybe we have stars of the future in Luis Adlard, Evan Khouri and Jaz Goundry. Congratulations on being offered a professional contract. What a big moment in their lives. What we wouldn't have given to be in their boots at 18.

For those leaving Town, I personally wish them well. It can't be good for any footballer to have a relegation on their CV and for the young lads it could be even harder getting another opportunity. Let's hope it clicks for them somewhere else, just not against Town please.

UTM!