Apology to JF

Quoted Text

No, this can't be happening. Maybe we should all submit our postings to Mr. Fenty for his approval before posting them on the Board.

Quoted from thebigeasy

It has been bought to my attention that a recent thread on The Fishy attributed to myself, and the misguided frenzied debate that ensued, has caused deep distress and upset to Mr Fenty. Following his correspondence with The Fishy, I met with Mr Fenty who kindly took a great deal of time to detail the events and the facts that have been a part of his time at the club. In addition Mr Fenty kindly detailed the financial requirements for the rest of this season and the next. As such it is important that the record is put straight.

It is clear to me now that any suggestion that he may profit from the sale of Blundell Park, or indeed the club, are pure speculation and not based on fact, and as such any comments suggesting otherwise are not a fair and reasonable assumption.
On inspection of the latest accounts published by the club it is abundantly clear that the current valuation of the ground is well below the £2.3m suggested in the GET article, as it has been deprecisted to a cyurrent net book value of £1.375m. Furthermore, it has recently been valued at between £1.1m and £1.5m and as such it currently would not support the repayment of Mr Fentys loans.
In addition I have learned that there are safeguards in place, introduced during Mr Fentys chairmanship, to which all directors have agreed and sigend up to, that stipulate loans can only be repaid on the basis of affordability to the club.
Furthermore, the pension payments, which will total £650k, that have been made to Mr Fenty over the last 4 or 5 years, are in fact payments made in respect of a loan made available through Five Start Fish, made at the time of the ITV digital collapse. These repayments are being made in accordance with the agreement at the time to repay him through a pension distribution at the rate of £162,500 over the first 3 years, reducing to £50k for a further three payments with a final payment of £12,500. In no way do these payments represent any "additional" funds, or profit over and above the loans he has in the club.
In addition comments made about the new community stadium project were again based on conjecture. Within the clubs accounts (http://extra-gtfc.co.uk/accounts2/index2.htm) omn page 27, the statement clearly defines the projects and the safeguards that will be put in place to safeguard the future of the club. There is no doubt that serious investment will be required and this will not be found without a viable business case.
During my meeting with Mr Fenty it was very clear that the underlying distrust and abuse directed at him is causing him some very real distress and concern, particularly as it is now becoming extremely vitriolic and is now extending beyond the message boards to public abuse at matches. Quite clearly, no one deserves to be treated this way, especially someone who has supported the club with huge sums of his own money.
I would also remind people that I have always found Mr Fenty to be extremely approachable, and he will always happily take time to try and explain the situation at the club in greater detail, should anyone have any concerns.
For my part, whilst not accepting that any harm was ever intended, and expressing that all I have ever tried to do was to simulate a healthy debate on issues at the club, I wish to apologise for any hurt or distress caused by any clumsy attempt on my part and others, to debate my concerns on the ongoing problems at the club. During our conversation Mr Fenty asked me several times what I would do if I were in his situation – quite candidly, as things stand I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole. A sentiment, I know, that is quite often expressed by others on here.
Finally, I would also encourage all others to publicly express their apologies on here and concentrate their efforts on providing a united front in order to get the club back to where it belongs in the Football League.

Quoted from cmackenzie4

Excellent post  

Quoted from Ipswin

I the five hours of pouring his heart out no mention appears  to have been made of the inside details of the Fenty / Parker scenario.

Did Fenty avoid it? Was he not asked? Was he asked but didn't reply? Did he answer but ask that it not be publicised?

How can Fenty protest that he is misunderstood / criticised / abused etc when huge question marks are always left?

Many chairmen / leading directors have received far more abuse than Fenty over the years - crowds far in excess of those at BP chanting to a man for the removal of their club's board and worse. At least the decline in attendances due to Fenty's stewardship has meant a smaller number of fans to abuse him on matchdays. A few snotty nosed kids on the car park behind the Findus who he was easily able to sweet talk is so far the extent of any mass protest / show of dissent against him.

Quoted from psgmariner

Don't you get bored of being so negative all of the time?

Quoted from Ipswin

At risk of appearing negative - no

I take it you are perfectly happy with the state and league position of Grimsby Town FC?

(are you John Fenty's lovechild?)

Quoted from psgmariner

Thought not. Try to do something positive then.

No. Why on earth would you think that?

Don't think so. But will check with my mum.