Another Crisis For Town?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 03/01/2005

MR John Fenty revealed on Radio Humberside yesterday that the Inland Revenue had turned down Grimsby Town's proposal to pay off the outstanding tax bill.

It is not known, at this stage, if they have refused to accept an instalment plan altogether or, have deemed the payments to be spread over too long a period.

The decision by the Inland Revenue places the club once again in a financial crisis and in danger of being wound up.

When the news of the tax problem was first published on the Fishy, Mr Fenty assured everyone that the problem was in hand and there was nothing to fear.

"We are delighted with the way things are going and I want to re-iterate to the fans that there is nothing to worry about." said Mr Fenty

Since then, he has revealed that the outstanding amount was approximately £700,000. In his statement, at that time, it appeared that he was saying that arrangements had been made and the tax bill would be paid.

His latest statement however, seems to indicate that the reverse was true and that the club had only made an offer to pay which at that time had not been accepted by the Inland Revenue.

That offer has now been refused and Grimsby Town FC is back to square one and a winding up order will be served if no suitable arrangements can be made.

If, the Inland Revenue will accept periodic payments that is.

If the worse comes to the worse, it would seem that the only people who can help save the club are the fans and supporters. If that proves to be the case, it will be the first real test for the Supporters Trust.

If a campaign is conducted, it should be under the auspices of the Grimsby Town Supporters Trust with assistance from other sources and groups including the Fishy.

My view is that a campaign should be conducted to assist the club to pay this debt whatever the outcome of the negotiations with the Inland Revenue. If the club do make an arrangement, the payments will prevent the club from investing any worthwhile funds into the player pool and that places us in another perilous position.

If everyone was to help as much as they could to assist the club in paying this outstanding debt, it would relieve some of the pressure on the finances and give us a fighting chance to get out this division.

Over to you Grimsby Town Supporters Trust!

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