Should the trust be disbanded.?

After the trust have stupidly given away 200 000 pounds worth of shares for nothing no extra power or caveats ie if the club is sold they retain the value of the shares.
Been pretty much anonymous throughout the whole take over.
As i can see it just be fenty yes men that guy rutter doesn’t look to sharp.
When the takeover goes through they should shut up shop.

If you look on the ‘Calculate the interest’ thread, ITK Philip Night claims it was an act of charity from JSF to avoid the Trust members being hit with a capital gains tax bill.

Despite the fact holdover relief could have been claimed on Mike Parker’s shares and the gain would never have crystallised.

It further suggests that the Trust were either blackmailed or advised poorly

There are certainly questions about whether the trust is fit for purpose and whether those involved should be replaced. Jon Wood and Dave Roberts need to be more answerable to the fans. What do they actually do, other than enjoy the perks of being directors?

How do you know they have been anonymous throughout the whole take over, they may be adhering to the confidentiality clause they signed up to when they joined the board.

A new lead at the top may help the trust become more proactive within the club and be of real benefit as the barrier that is currently in place to positive change won't be there to stop or block the trust from becoming a real asset to the club.

Quoted from davmariner

There are certainly questions about whether the trust is fit for purpose and whether those involved should be replaced. Jon Wood and Dave Roberts need to be more answerable to the fans. What do they actually do, other than enjoy the perks of being directors?

They aren't answerable to the fans...they are answerable to the Trust Board and ultimately the members. I know that Jon Wood buys his own season ticket and sits in the main stand - I would imagine Dave does the same. He certainly sits with the fans rather than the directors box at away games.

I think the Trust should be seen by whoever owns the club as the ‘critical friend’. An organization that holds the club to account on behalf of the fans.

Under the current ownership, that appears to be very one sided. Hopefully that will change.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

If you look on the ‘Calculate the interest’ thread, ITK Philip Night claims it was an act of charity from JSF to avoid the Trust members being hit with a capital gains tax bill.

Despite the fact holdover relief could have been claimed on Mike Parker’s shares and the gain would never have crystallised.

It further suggests that the Trust were either blackmailed or advised poorly

Or a bunch of totally ignorant amateurs. Incidentally will the new owners want the Trust to have two seats on the new board I wonder?

I suppose someone has to make the tea and sharpen the pencils but given that the awful heinous Fenty board will be gone why would theTrust want a place, we all trust the new crowd to represent the fans fairly don't we so do the Trust are really need to be in there.

Lets face it they had no power, or if they did they didn't use it, with the old board so they are hardly likely to have any sway on a new professional honest and hopefully open board put together by Shutes & Co

The Trust hasn't been fit for purpose from day one and giving the shares away for NOTHING proves that

Quoted from MrFisherman

The Trust hasn't been fit for purpose from day one and giving the shares away for NOTHING proves that

I suspect they were leant on

Quoted from MrFisherman

The Trust hasn't been fit for purpose from day one and giving the shares away for NOTHING proves that

The trust had no option at the time but to give those shares up, go back to that timeline and read what was said at the time by Fenty if it didn't happen.

I would to love to know how many of those who criticise the Trust are actually members. Plus someone has suggested the Trust (and I quote), is “An organisation that holds the Club to account on behalf of the fans.” Really? Surely the Trust answers to its members. Finally I don’t know Dave Roberts at all well, but he is in my opinion one of the most honest and well meaning of men who’s interest is to do the best for the Trust and GTFC. I am 100% sure he would never use his position to obtain free tickets, perks etc. #UTM

They still have not answered the question ref the Parker shares. That’s not good enough.

Crikey, now the fans are rounding on the Trust. You couldn’t make this stuff up.

It won’t be much longer until the tea lady takes a kicking. If she had been on her game then none of this would have happened

Quoted from Fillipe Noche

Crikey, now the fans are rounding on the Trust. You couldn’t make this stuff up.

It won’t be much longer until the tea lady takes a kicking. If she had been on her game then none of this would have happened

How much does one have to pay to be the tea lady, Philip? Is it as expensive as mighty mariner?

Quoted from Fillipe Noche

Crikey, now the fans are rounding on the Trust. You couldn’t make this stuff up.

It won’t be much longer until the tea lady takes a kicking. If she had been on her game then none of this would have happened

With your fellow board member still at the helm I hear she is in the running of first team affairs, fits the criteria as she'll be cheap and can pick up other club duties for free if she loves the club..

the tea lady would have been better than runaway.

Simple answer? No.

Wasn’t it the Trust who reached out to Tom Shutes to get them back around the table?

There’s a place for a body like the Trust and either the current owner and any new one should understand the value of utilising a consultative body on matters that impact supporters.

Personally I’m not convinced having a seat on this board does them any favours but the principe feels right.

The bit above is my challenge to the/any owners. I joined the Trust once but never really felt informed or part of anything and nobody asked me if I wanted to renew so my other challenge is that if we have a Trust (which I think we should) it has a clear agenda to engage, inform and grow its membership.

Quoted from Fillipe Noche

Crikey, now the fans are rounding on the Trust. You couldn’t make this stuff up.

It won’t be much longer until the tea lady takes a kicking. If she had been on her game then none of this would have happened

Classic Fenty / Bannon / Cummings playbook.

Try to turn the fans on each other

Have you explained why you didn’t claim holdover relief for the ‘Parker’ share transfers yet Philip / Stephen?

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Simple answer? No.

Wasn’t it the Trust who reached out to Tom Shutes to get them back around the table?

There’s a place for a body like the Trust and either the current owner and any new one should understand the value of utilising a consultative body on matters that impact supporters.

Personally I’m not convinced having a seat on this board does them any favours but the principe feels right.

The bit above is my challenge to the/any owners. I joined the Trust once but never really felt informed or part of anything and nobody asked me if I wanted to renew so my other challenge is that if we gave a Trust (which I think we should) it has a clear agenda to engage, inform and grow its membership.

Question is do they have any real power on the board don't think any trust does unless they actually own the club.
Giving away their shares was not a good option , they should have used the money they raise to buy more shares in the club so then are regularly putting in money & getting more influence money talks.
When fans raise the money exchange it for shares instead of just handing it over?

Let’s vote rutter out first

Quoted from Helgy

Question is do they have any real power on the board don't think any trust does unless they actually own the club.
Giving away their shares was not a good option , they should have used the money they raise to buy more shares in the club so then are regularly putting in money & getting more influence money talks.
When fans raise the money exchange it for shares instead of just handing it over?

Agree in hindsight Helgy and under this regime I’d argue they have very little say at board level, then again I doubt they’re alone in that looking at the historic behaviour and attitude of our major shareholder, the chairman and an accountant who tells people to “shut up” when he can’t deal with an alternative opinion.

It's like the night of the long knives on here. What next, book burning?

As someone round these parts says, " don't throw the baby out with the bathwater"

Quoted from Marinerz93

The trust had no option at the time but to give those shares up, go back to that timeline and read what was said at the time by Fenty if it didn't happen.

Wasn't it something to do with the possible sale of Liam Hearn?

Quoted from Marinerz93

The trust had no option at the time but to give those shares up, go back to that timeline and read what was said at the time by Fenty if it didn't happen.

However painful it is at the time, it is always always best to call the bluff of bullies.

The long term affects of unbalanced relationships / uneven power dynamics are inevitably worse.

The trust have a significant role and can still influence whatever now happens.

Quoted from arryarryarry

Wasn't it something to do with the possible sale of Liam Hearn?

Yes, an ultimatum if I remember rightly coupled with I won't be putting any more money in the club just to strengthen the threat.

Quoted from arryarryarry

Wasn't it something to do with the possible sale of Liam Hearn?

Pure brinksmanship from Fenty just like we saw on Christmas Eve when he announced the deal was off and just like the Christmas Eve threat (Shutes came back) the Hearn threat worked and the Trust stupidly fell for it.  

Threatening to sell Hearn was one thing, its not like the days when Matt Tees and Rod Green were told to 'report to the Valley on Monday', he could have said no.

Quoted from GrimExile

I would to love to know how many of those who criticise the Trust are actually members. Plus someone has suggested the Trust (and I quote), is “An organisation that holds the Club to account on behalf of the fans.” Really? Surely the Trust answers to its members. Finally I don’t know Dave Roberts at all well, but he is in my opinion one of the most honest and well meaning of men who’s interest is to do the best for the Trust and GTFC. I am 100% sure he would never use his position to obtain free tickets, perks etc. #UTM

Agreed Emma...Dave is a good man who holds the respect of those who have worked with him. It's just so sad that people like him have been dragged into this.

Quoted from Ipswin

Pure brinksmanship from Fenty just like we saw on Christmas Eve when he announced the deal was off and just like the Christmas Eve threat (Shutes came back) the Hearn threat worked and the Trust stupidly fell for it.  

Threatening to sell Hearn was one thing, its not like the days when Matt Tees and Rod Green were told to 'report to the Valley on Monday', he could have said no.

I don't think the trust were stupid when faced with the ultimatum they got, they did it to protect the club as best they could. They were placed in a situation and all that ultimatum did was put in plain sight what we were being told by others about dealings with how Fenty works.

My main problem with the Trust is that apart from pulling pints in a bar they haven't actually achieved anything in any area of GTFC.

They certainly haven't influenced decisions on how the club is run through their presence in the board room, it is (was) a token gesture only with no power or weight and therefore the membership gained nothing,.(not even a membership card in Pete's case) The trust is totally toothless

Quoted from Ipswin

Pure brinksmanship from Fenty just like we saw on Christmas Eve when he announced the deal was off and just like the Christmas Eve threat (Shutes came back) the Hearn threat worked and the Trust stupidly fell for it.  

Threatening to sell Hearn was one thing, its not like the days when Matt Tees and Rod Green were told to 'report to the Valley on Monday', he could have said no.

Knowing you Swin I feel sure you are incorporating the Trust membership in your general umbrella of "The Trust". If not it is time for my periodic reminder to the contributors to this rather disappointing thread that the fate of the shares was put to the membership and the members at the time decided overwhelmingly to give up the shares. From memory the result was overwhelming with support "for" being over 80%. It's called democracy and it is completely irrelevant that the Trust had a far smaller number of members then than at any time since.
The donation to the Trust of the shares came completely out of the blue. I was rung at 11 p.m. at night by the then secretary to receive the news.
If all of those who repeatedly line up on here to criticise that aspect of the Trust had all joined perhaps the result would have been different.
People are of course entitled to their opinions but it is my experience that opinions are easiest to come to when in possession of a few facts.
The accusation that the two members of the Trust Board who are on the Board of GTFC would seek to benefit from freebies is a strange one. The notion that two fans of the club would give up their normal match day traditions antagonising the members they represent in the process is beyond parody.
As Ginny says it amounts to open season on here at the moment. If I had a pound for every thread of a similar vein that Yoda starts I'd offer to join Shute's consortium.

Cannot believe the Trust would be so naive as to  gift the shares unconditionally to Fenty. Surely they must have had the foresight to envisage the situation he may at some point wish to dispose of his shares.Shocking lack of due diligence.

Quoted from Yoda

After the trust have stupidly given away 200 000 pounds worth of shares for nothing no extra power or caveats ie if the club is sold they retain the value of the shares.
Been pretty much anonymous throughout the whole take over.
As i can see it just be fenty yes men that guy rutter doesn’t look to sharp.
When the takeover goes through they should shut up shop.

yoda, if you are not a member of the Trust, then it's got feck all to do with you how it operates, what it does, and what it chooses to do. if you're that bothered about it, then pay your money and then get involved  

Quoted from Ipswin

Pure brinksmanship from Fenty just like we saw on Christmas Eve when he announced the deal was off and just like the Christmas Eve threat (Shutes came back) the Hearn threat worked and the Trust stupidly fell for it.  

Threatening to sell Hearn was one thing, its not like the days when Matt Tees and Rod Green were told to 'report to the Valley on Monday', he could have said no.

Considering his following injury problems it was a shame we didn't sell.

Quoted from Ipswin

My main problem with the Trust is that apart from pulling pints in a bar they haven't actually achieved anything in any area of GTFC

Really Swin? Wasn’t the Trust instrumental in organising Operation Promotion? Wasn’t that money spent on Bogle? Didn’t we gain promotion that very same season? Didn’t that raise the profile of the club worldwide? Didn’t that unite all the fans for a common cause? Wasn’t the trust made up entirely of volunteers who created all the above?

This thread is a disgrace.

Quoted from heppy88

Really Swin? Wasn’t the Trust instrumental in organising Operation Promotion? Wasn’t that money spent on Bogle? Didn’t we gain promotion that very same season? Didn’t that raise the profile of the club worldwide? Didn’t that unite all the fans for a common cause? Wasn’t the trust made up entirely of volunteers who created all the above?

This thread is a disgrace.

I was at Wembley and Braintree and I'm sure there were 10 others on the pitch too and organising is one thing, you make it sound like Operation Promotion was purely a Trust effort. Thousands was contributed by folk who weren't Trust members.

The Trusts influence on the running and decisions of GTFC has been zero Fenty's puppets.Disorganised waste of space

The trust needs to represent all gtfc fans not just the few members it has.

Quoted from Yoda

The trust needs to represent all gtfc fans not just the few members it has.

Oh dear...there is a definite stench of Tony Hamilton about these posts lol

Some people on here just love spouting poison, disgusting.

Quoted from tarka

Agreed Emma...Dave is a good man who holds the respect of those who have worked with him. It's just so sad that people like him have been dragged into this.

Please don’t call me Emma, I’m a man and I’m called Andy!!! 😂😂😂 #UTM

Quoted from tarka

Oh dear...there is a definite stench of Tony Hamilton about these posts lol

I have no idea who Tony Hamilton is but Yoda is right - the Trust needs to represent all Town fans, don't they? This is why these type of organisations are a waste of time and effort. The views expressed are by a few members. It's very similar to political parties who can't see why they are losing elections all the time because the members want one thing, whilst the voting public (the fans in this case) want quite another.

Quoted from GrimExile

Please don’t call me Emma, I’m a man and I’m called Andy!!! 😂😂😂 #UTM

hehehe...so sorry! Thought you were someone else!

Quoted from friskneymariner

Cannot believe the Trust would be so naive as to  gift the shares unconditionally to Fenty. Surely they must have had the foresight to envisage the situation he may at some point wish to dispose of his shares.Shocking lack of due diligence.

Eh?

Did you not read Barralads post? It was voted for by 80% of it's members, rightly or wrongly. Anyone who was not a member at the time has no business calling them out for it.

I think the Trust's participation at Board level was seen as a "Holy Grail" . I'm sure we all wanted to have our representatives telling John Fenty our point of view. In reality, we've ended up with the Trust reps being bound by confidentiality on Board meetings, therefore they're now completely stuck in a cul-de-sac.  
It must now be very difficult for the Trust to go public with any issue where they could be accused of leaking Board information. Equally their two votes are easily outvoted at a Board meeting.
The inability to protest, expose or fight for the rights of supporters can't be right and if the latest Consortium offer is genuine, let's hope a new understanding is worked out to enable the Trust to operate as a lot of people on here seem to want it to do.
And by the way, those that are working for the Trust, I applaud their efforts - cut them & they'll bleed black and white. Maybe though, time for a refocus and rethink as to the role the Trust play.
All of GTFC's problems arn't going to fixed in one day, so let's unite behind the main objective of removing the current regime.

Quoted from ginnywings

Eh?

Did you not read Barralads post? It was voted for by 80% of it's members, rightly or wrongly. Anyone who was not a member at the time has no business calling them out for it.

I was a member and nobody asked me to vote,beside how cannot they forsee him wanting to get rid of his shares at some point very negligent.

No

Quoted from tarka

hehehe...so sorry! Thought you were someone else!

I’m in shock and I’m having to drink wine to get over this!!!

Quoted from friskneymariner

I was a member and nobody asked me to vote,beside how cannot they forsee him wanting to get rid of his shares at some point very negligent.

It was plastered all over the shop at the time.

Quoted from tarka

hehehe...so sorry! Thought you were someone else!

I know who you mean. Saw her April 2019 at Ed’s* brother’s wedding.

* of giant fish fame

It’s worth remembering that The Trust’s two seats on the board are there regardless of who is majority shareholder. John Fenty isn’t Grimsby Town FC, although we know he likes to make out he is. He will be gone, whether in 12 hours, 12 weeks or 12 years, and the fans will have a voice in the boardroom once his dictatorship ends.

Given that we are probably days away from getting a new board which, on the face of it, appears to value customer/member involvement, the Trust might be well placed going forward.

Quoted from forza ivano

yoda, if you are not a member of the Trust, then it's got feck all to do with you how it operates, what it does, and what it chooses to do. if you're that bothered about it, then pay your money and then get involved  

How many people are members Forza?, any idea (I am)

Quoted from Ipswin

I was at Wembley and Braintree and I'm sure there were 10 others on the pitch too and organising is one thing, you make it sound like Operation Promotion was purely a Trust effort. Thousands was contributed by folk who weren't Trust members.

The Trusts influence on the running and decisions of GTFC has been zero Fenty's puppets.Disorganised waste of space

They may be a bit disorganised when they are short of volunteers to carry out many useful tasks which improve conditions for fans on matchday or community events or fan forums or book sales etc. etc, but far from a 'waste of space.' Nor are they puppets. The few I have met, Dave Roberts, Ian Townsend and Kristine Green are hardworking, professional, and dedicated fans. If you contact them individually over a small issue they reply promptly and positively.

Far from raking over the Parker shares farago, just appreciate that each one of them who has offered so much of their time to keep a fans Trust going ,in spite of the chaos around them, are still willing to work on our behalf.

Comments like yours Swin, offer no encouragement to Grimbarians to join the Trust and put their shoulders to the wheel. With or without this potential deal, we will still need someone to represent the fans. They continually ask for offers of help with technical skills, for example and could do with a boost right now as they reach out to the membership. Whatever has prevented people from coming forward, I very much doubt it was the people I have met. Good luck with telling Kristine she is a waste of space though!

Quoted from Croxton

They may be a bit disorganised when they are short of volunteers to carry out many useful tasks which improve conditions for fans on matchday or community events or fan forums or book sales etc. etc, but far from a 'waste of space.' Nor are they puppets. The few I have met, Dave Roberts, Ian Townsend and Kristine Green are hardworking, professional, and dedicated fans. If you contact them individually over a small issue they reply promptly and positively.

Far from raking over the Parker shares farago, just appreciate that each one of them who has offered so much of their time to keep a fans Trust going ,in spite of the chaos around them, are still willing to work on our behalf.

Comments like yours Swin, offer no encouragement to Grimbarians to join the Trust and put their shoulders to the wheel. With or without this potential deal, we will still need someone to represent the fans. They continually ask for offers of help with technical skills, for example and could do with a boost right now as they reach out to the membership. Whatever has prevented people from coming forward, I very much doubt it was the people I have met. Good luck with telling Kristine she is a waste of space though!

As ever Mr Croxton the voice of balance and reason.

Quoted from lee65

How many people are members Forza?, any idea (I am)

no, i don't Lee, sorry.Like many others i don't really ever get any communication from them, despite being a life member (in so many ways! ) and having been there at the very start, having 'folded' our grouping of exiles into the initial group.
i think Croxton's post is spot on. they work hard, and they're all volunteers, and they do many good things.it's just that they are a little disorganised, but that's due to lack of people i suspect. hopefully with all this talk of the trust 1 or 2 people will stick their head above the parapet and get involved.

they desperately need to get a really good membership secretary and to improve their communications. they've achieved an awful lot from v humble beginnings, but i'm sympathetic to Bax's view that they should be a 'crttical friend'

Quoted from forza ivano

no, i don't Lee, sorry.Like many others i don't really ever get any communication from them, despite being a life member (in so many ways! ) and having been there at the very start, having 'folded' our grouping of exiles into the initial group.
i think Croxton's post is spot on. they work hard, and they're all volunteers, and they do many good things.it's just that they are a little disorganised, but that's due to lack of people i suspect. hopefully with all this talk of the trust 1 or 2 people will stick their head above the parapet and get involved.

they desperately need to get a really good membership secretary and to improve their communications. they've achieved an awful lot from v humble beginnings, but i'm sympathetic to Bax's view that they should be a 'crttical friend'

Thank you for the reply  

Quoted from Ipswin

Pure brinksmanship from Fenty just like we saw on Christmas Eve when he announced the deal was off and just like the Christmas Eve threat (Shutes came back) the Hearn threat worked and the Trust stupidly fell for it.  

Threatening to sell Hearn was one thing, its not like the days when Matt Tees and Rod Green were told to 'report to the Valley on Monday', he could have said no.

If Hearne had stayed fit that season Fenty would have sold him anyway

It's time that anyone that has good ties with the club to cut them. The Trust has always done its best, but it's clear from top to bottom that we need a clear-out and strategies how we drag the club into the 21st Century. We're a shower and let's just have the administrators in if that's what needs doing. John Fenty is a stain on this town and anyone that associates with him.

Rather than moan about the Mariners Trust sign up and have your say.. The Trust will work with Grimsby Town for the betterment of our beloved club. The Trust has done sterling work and I'm proud to be a member. I'm also a shareholder. I'm not asking for anymore than the survival of my team. UTMM.

Quoted from heppy88

Really Swin? Wasn’t the Trust instrumental in organising Operation Promotion? Wasn’t that money spent on Bogle? Didn’t we gain promotion that very same season? Didn’t that raise the profile of the club worldwide? Didn’t that unite all the fans for a common cause? Wasn’t the trust made up entirely of volunteers who created all the above?

This thread is a disgrace.

Too true, Ipswin is ANTI-GTFC  I am sure he's not a real supporter but a windup merchant. His negativity has over whelmed him. I feel sorry for him,.

Quoted from davmariner

There are certainly questions about whether the trust is fit for purpose and whether those involved should be replaced. Jon Wood and Dave Roberts need to be more answerable to the fans. What do they actually do, other than enjoy the perks of being directors?

no. Wood and Roberts need to answer to the membership, if you are not a member, your not of interest.

Quoted from 140067

Too true, Ipswin is ANTI-GTFC  I am sure he's not a real supporter but a windup merchant. His negativity has over whelmed him. I feel sorry for him,.

You could not be further from the truth. He says what he thinks.

As for the Trust, I believe they need another re-start. They should work independently of the club, if this means giving up the two lame duck seats on the board then so be it. Raise funds as they are doing right now, the membership should then decide what to do with those funds. The club should not be in a position where it can impose it's will on the Trust. Fenty has masterminded his control of the Trust in both it's incarnations. The money raised over the years and then just given to the club and the MP shares could have been put to such great use in the present situation. I believe those who have administered the Trust(s) have done the best they can and their dedication knows no bounds but they have been played from the very beginning by Fenty. The Trust should continue but it should cut it's ties to the club, it should stand alone as the voice of the fans.

Quoted from 140067

Rather than moan about the Mariners Trust sign up and have your say.. The Trust will work with Grimsby Town for the betterment of our beloved club. The Trust has done sterling work and I'm proud to be a member. I'm also a shareholder. I'm not asking for anymore than the survival of my team. UTMM.

I am not a member as I wouldn't join after the shares to JF fiasco, however I would just like to pick up on some of the points you have made.

Firstly, you say "sign up and have your say" well according to some members on here they never hear from the Trust to ask for their opinion apart from the shares to JF vote.

Secondly they "work with Grimsby Town for the betterment of our beloved club", well that isn't working at the moment, heading back to the National League and nearly a convicted fraudster getting involved with the club.

Thirdly I do appreciate the Trust has done some sterling work and if it was someone from the Trust that tipped off the press about that conman then well done on that point.

It’s your chance to influence things arry.

Well no one is going hungry tonight.

Enjoy ya very large helping of humble pie.  Do u really think the Trust had no role in getting both sides talking?

Empty vessels make the most noise.  Thank you GTST, top top work and ignore the ignorance shown on this forum 😎

Don't know if anyone noticed this statement in all the excitement.

https://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/agreement/

Quoted from paulgtfc

Well no one is going hungry tonight.

Enjoy ya very large helping of humble pie.  Do u really think the Trust had no role in getting both sides talking?

Empty vessels make the most noise.  Thank you GTST, top top work and ignore the ignorance shown on this forum 😎

Hasn't been GTST for a while. If we're talking about ignorance. Just saying.

Quoted from BlackandWhiteBarmy2

Hasn't been GTST for a while. If we're talking about ignorance. Just saying.

Quality.  In fairness I was rushing. Hope my red crosses were for technical error rather than the sentiments of my post lol

Roberts and Wood have no place on the board, these two must resign immediately

Quoted from Boris Johnson

Roberts and Wood have no place on the board, these two must resign immediately

There’s others who need to go first! 😉

I think the Trust need to re evaluate its raison d'etre, work out whst it's mission is and work towards those goals.  Seats on the board should be kept as they are the Trust, and therefore it's members voice.  They can put the trust's point of view and vote in accordance to the trust's interests.
Well done to the Trust for their hard work behond the scenes in bringing all parties to the table, and keeping them talking.

Quoted from The_Laughing_Mariner

I think the Trust need to re evaluate its raison d'etre, work out whst it's mission is and work towards those goals.  Seats on the board should be kept as they are the Trust, and therefore it's members voice.  They can put the trust's point of view and vote in accordance to the trust's interests.
Well done to the Trust for their hard work behond the scenes in bringing all parties to the table, and keeping them talking.

agree with this. the other long term thing to bear in mind is that the new regime might want to move on after the new stadium is built. at that time we will need a strong independent Trust to be our voice and our 'watcher'

Quoted from arryarryarry

I am not a member as I wouldn't join after the shares to JF fiasco, however I would just like to pick up on some of the points you have made.

Firstly, you say "sign up and have your say" well according to some members on here they never hear from the Trust to ask for their opinion apart from the shares to JF vote.

Secondly they "work with Grimsby Town for the betterment of our beloved club", well that isn't working at the moment, heading back to the National League and nearly a convicted fraudster getting involved with the club.

Thirdly I do appreciate the Trust has done some sterling work and if it was someone from the Trust that tipped off the press about that conman then well done on that point.

Thank you for taking time to read and reply. Have a safe 2021.

Quoted from barralad

Knowing you Swin I feel sure you are incorporating the Trust membership in your general umbrella of "The Trust". If not it is time for my periodic reminder to the contributors to this rather disappointing thread that the fate of the shares was put to the membership and the members at the time decided overwhelmingly to give up the shares. From memory the result was overwhelming with support "for" being over 80%. It's called democracy and it is completely irrelevant that the Trust had a far smaller number of members then than at any time since.
The donation to the Trust of the shares came completely out of the blue. I was rung at 11 p.m. at night by the then secretary to receive the news.
If all of those who repeatedly line up on here to criticise that aspect of the Trust had all joined perhaps the result would have been different.
People are of course entitled to their opinions but it is my experience that opinions are easiest to come to when in possession of a few facts.
The accusation that the two members of the Trust Board who are on the Board of GTFC would seek to benefit from freebies is a strange one. The notion that two fans of the club would give up their normal match day traditions antagonising the members they represent in the process is beyond parody.
As Ginny says it amounts to open season on here at the moment. If I had a pound for every thread of a similar vein that Yoda starts I'd offer to join Shute's consortium.

I will start with ....I am not and never have been a member of the trust. Largely due to the fact that i felt there would be very little sway on the current board.

I was going to put what you have basically put, it was voted on, so whoever was on the board followed its members clear majority vote.

However, given common belief that the presence of Alex May was tipped off by an inside man/woman, potentially one of the trust board members then in this act alone they have earnt their stripes should this takeover sale now go through.

I would hope the new consortium would wish to work with the trust in a more open way where their opinions can at least be heard prior to the club making decisions, ie checkatrade trophy , where the trust were made to look clueless by having to put out a statement saying they knew nothing about it but would have opposed after the event.

Should the new consortium accept the trust positions then I will certainly become a new member.

Barra.....do you think there is any scope for the trust to employ someone to deal with communications, membership renewals etc even on a part time basis?  As the commonly seen gripe is people saying they have heard nothing etc.

Quoted from Plankton

It's time that anyone that has good ties with the club to cut them. The Trust has always done its best, but it's clear from top to bottom that we need a clear-out and strategies how we drag the club into the 21st Century. We're a shower and let's just have the administrators in if that's what needs doing. John Fenty is a stain on this town and anyone that associates with him.

We're 20 years into it already if you hadn't noticed.

Quoted from The_Laughing_Mariner

I think the Trust need to re evaluate its raison d'etre, work out whst it's mission is and work towards those goals.  Seats on the board should be kept as they are the Trust, and therefore it's members voice.  They can put the trust's point of view and vote in accordance to the trust's interests.
Well done to the Trust for their hard work behond the scenes in bringing all parties to the table, and keeping them talking.

According to some Trust members on here, they don't hear from the Trust itself so how can the two GTFC board members put the Trust's point of view when the members aren't asked anything?

Here's the fans charter. Reading between the lines it implies that the Trust will take up any fans issues which are put to it by individuals. It doesn't mention any mechanism to determine wider views.

[img]https://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SUNDAY-APRIL-10-201611-oclock-in-the-morninggrace-victory-churchMalvern-PA-19355.png[/img]

Quoted from GrimRob

Here's the fans charter. Reading between the lines it implies that the Trust will take up any fans issues which are put to it by individuals. It doesn't mention any mechanism to determine wider views.

[img]https://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SUNDAY-APRIL-10-201611-oclock-in-the-morninggrace-victory-churchMalvern-PA-19355.png[/img]

Isn't that only about how fans should behave at football matches and how the club should behave towards the fans?

These sorts of organisations soon descend into petty infighting, power struggles, and in this case cosying up to and not representing the interests of the fans against a terrible owner.

The people that matter is the fans who attend the matches, the ones who shell out hard-earned money to watch their team. Of course the members are fans but any decision they make or want to make should go to the fans more generally. That is extremely difficult I hear you say. Indeed it is, that is why groups like this are a complete waste of time.