KEY TALKS PLANNED OVER FUTURE OF GTFC
TOM SHUTES TO MEET GRIMSBY TOWN BOARD
TOM Shutes will meet the Grimsby Town board today to discuss possible investment in the club.
The Grimsby Telegraph understands that the businessman and philanthropist is due to speak with Town chairman Philip Day at Blundell Park, along with Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit.
The trio were involved in Mr Shutes’ takeover bid of the Mariners last year, but were knocked back in their attempts when majority shareholder John Fenty took the club off sale.
Mr Fenty is under mounting pressure after it was revealed that convicted fraudster Alex May intended to buy shares in Town, having been spotted at Blundell Park on Saturday.
The pair were found to have set up a company together - Town Centre Living - in April, although Mr Fenty now has sole control after acquiring Mr May’s shares. Mr Fenty stepped down from his role as deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council on Monday, citing a want to “avoid an unwarranted distraction to the enormous progress being made in the borough.” It was confirmed by Mr Day on Monday that Mr May had been looking to purchase £1million worth of shares, but following a board meeting on Monday night, Mr May’s application was rejected.
The Mariners Trust have since announced they have met t with Mr Shutes and Mr Stockwood, with the pair now set to discuss possible investment with Town’s chairman tomorrow.
A statement said: “The Trust recognise that some fans would like to know more about the proposed investment in the club by Tom Shutes, Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit.
“To this end, we made contact with Mr Shutes last week to request a meeting to see how we can assist them if necessary. “We had an open, honest and informative meeting with Mr Shutes and Mr Stockwood on Monday evening and we would like to thank them for their time. “We hope that they found the meeting as useful as we did and we have agreed to a further conversation which we hope will lead to positive engagement with the football club.”