JANUARY

·         25^th January 2007 could prove to be one of the most important dates in GTFC’s recent history, as it was the night North East Lincolnshire Council’s Planning Committee approved outline plans for the proposed new stadium at Great Coates. GTST had already been involved in campaigning for the stadium for some time, assisting the club with the collection and collation of support forms. On the night, Trust chairman Dave Otter, a member of the stadium Gateway Group, made a passionate presentation to the planning committee on behalf of the fans, urging them not to let yet another part of Grimsby’s integral heritage die, as the fishing industry has all but done.

FEBRUARY

·         GTST purchased a set of 25 rain jackets for the GTFC youth team, which were presented to Youth Team Manager Neil Woods at the Bristol Rovers game. Over 50% of all money raised by the Trust is invested in the Grimsby Town youth system.

·         Following the departure of Ricky Ravenhill, the Trust agreed to sponsor the kit of promising young striker Andy Taylor instead.

MARCH

·         Issue 6 of the GTST newsletter “In Cod We Trust” was distributed to Trust members. Having previously canvassed our members, costs were considerably reduced after over a third of our membership agreed to receive the newsletter via email.

·         Included in the newsletter was an appeal for suitable venues at which we could hold future race nights. We are still very much open to offers, so please email us at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or leave a message on our answerphone 0870 4711827 if you have a venue and enough enthusiastic punters to help us raise more money to invest in GTFC.

APRIL

·         The Trust sponsored the matchball for the final home game of the season against Lincoln City and two pairs of executive tickets were auctioned off on eBay, raising £100.

·         Member Jane Banks presented a cheque for £1000 to the club on behalf of the Trust, as we purchased another 1000 shares, bringing our total shareholding to £21,000.

·         A Race Night was held at the Bradley Inn after the Lincoln game, which raised over £400.

·         The winner of GTST’s Sponsor a Sod campaign was announced as Ivor Langridge of Rotherham, who received a free 2007/08 season ticket. Sponsor a Sod raised over £1000 for the second season running.

MAY

·         Danny North was awarded the Trust’s Most Improved Player trophy at the Player of the Year awards night.

·         A team was entered in Grimsby Town’s Youth Development Golf Day, but the £100 entry fee was converted into event sponsorship after we proved to be surprisingly lacking in golfing members.

·         The Trust continued its sponsorship of the Grimsby & District Intermediate Football League’s Mariner Cup for the third successive season.

·         At the end of the Trust’s financial year (30^th April), membership stood at 237, which consisted of 71 life, 4 family, 13 junior, 36 mature, 107 adult, 2 corporate and 4 honorary members.

JULY

·         GTST launched its new Junior Membership scheme at Grimsby Town’s Fun Day on 29^th July and it proved to be an immediate success, with 47 new members signing up on the day. For only £5, all Junior Mariners, including members of our previous junior membership scheme, receive a GTFC  goody bag, GTST badge, newsletter, signed photo of their favourite GTFC player, birthday card signed by one of their three favourite players, entry into draws for a GTFC mascot package and signed shirt , discount at the Club Shop and on Football in the Community courses and entry to a Junior Mariner party (to be held next year).

·         On the same day, the Trust also launched its new range of SWWF and Harry Round The World merchandise, featuring the artwork of Jim Connor and the photos of Alison Taylor. The range, which includes coasters, keyrings, fridge magnets and pens, also went down very well on the day.

AUGUST

·         As the season opened, GTST were delighted to continue with their kit sponsorship of Andy Taylor, having not managed to completely jinx him in the six months since we started sponsoring him.

·         Sponsor a Sod continued for the third season running and having sold the majority of the 24 sods in pre-season, around £1000 had already been raised, which was excellent bearing in mind the “competition” from the club’s youth team sponsorship and sponsor a goal schemes.

·         The Trust once again held a stall at the Grimsby Evening Telegraph’s Fun Day at the Boating Lake, but due to the weather and location of the stall didn’t raise as much on the day as we would have liked.