Grimsby Town FC think that a move away from Blundell Park to a multi-purpose community stadium is the best way forward for the former Football League club who were at one time in the second division. At an average of around 3,000 Grimsby’s attendances are the fourth best in the non-league, but some fans argue that a better standard of football would attract even more to attend.
Grimsby Town FC think that a move away from Blundell Park to a multi-purpose community stadium is the best way forward for the former Football League club who were at one time in the second division. At an average of around 3,000 Grimsby’s attendances are the fourth best in the non-league, but some fans argue that a better standard of football would attract even more to attend.
However, with a capacity of 21,000, the current ground which has been their home since 1899 is a drain on their limited resources. It is estimated that £2.3m could be raised from the sale of the ground, although an application for funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund was not successful.
The Mariners lost nearly £1m last season, their first outside the Football League. The £936,177 loss comes at a time when the club is without a chairman after the resignation of John Fentry in September. The businessman provided substantial financial support.
In a statement the club said that in the absence of wealthy owners or backers it must relocate to bridge the trading losses. But, of course, selling one capital asset and acquiring a new one is not a permanent solution to trading losses.
However, chief executive Ian Fleming has said that administration has not entered the board’s thinking. He said, ‘There is absolutely no threat of administration. That wouldn’t do the club any good.’
That is undoubtedly right as the example of Plymouth Argyle shows that administration is not an easy way out of fundamental financial problems for a lower league club. Admittedly, their financial position was far worse than that of Grismby but they found attracting a credible buyer challenging.