Storm Brewing at BP?

By: Graham Howes
Date: 04/03/2001

AN ARTICLE appearing in Saturday's Sports Telegraph suggests that relations between the Grimsby Town board and Lennie Lawrence are becoming increasingly strained with particular regard to a lack of progress in contract negotiations.

The trenches have already been dug and Lawrence and his players look to have fired the first salvo in a situation which the Grimsby boss has warned could end up in a farce.

Over the past six weeks, the board has been dragging its feet in contract talks with a number of players, with Kevin Donovan being particularly upset that negotiations seem to have reached an impasse.

Lawrence is also amazed that things have not moved on and said: "If I don't have one or two players signed by next weekend, things may have to be resolved in the summer. That is a dangerous game to play."

The ex-Luton boss is also clearly upset that the board has allowed so many players to come so close to reaching the end of their contracts. Clearly unhappy about the situation, Lawrence said that while he is at the club it will never happen again.

Twelve players are now uncertain of their future and, when pressed as to whether or not this was affecting performances, Lawrence responded: "No, but it might do. I can't say categorically at the moment. They are good professionals and they get on with it, but I don’t want the possibility to exist."

Lennie must now be regretting his words when he took over at Blundell Park in August, when he told reporters: "This is a professional club run by professional people."

After such an outburst over the board's 'management' of the club along with recent results having taken a turn for the worst, would anyone be surprised to see Lawrence leave the club?

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