Following recent debate on the various GTFC related internet message boards, it has become apparent that some people don’t believe that there is a requirement for Grimsby Town to have a Supporters Trust at the moment (with some even going so far as to suggest that GTST should fold and surrender the 22,000 shares that we have accumulated to date). 

Whilst it is true that GTST has been pretty inactive of late, change is afoot which will improve the frequency and quality of communication with both members and non-members alike, which hopefully will have the knock-on effect of increased levels of general activity.  At the time of writing, an open meeting has been planned (and publicised) for 7^th August, with anyone who would like to get involved and help out with GTST invited to attend.  Having run on pretty much a skeleton staff for the past couple of years, this is a great step forward and one that I’m personally excited about.  Yes, there has been a degree of pride-swallowing involved in admitting that despite our best efforts, the current board are far too stretched to operate GTST to the levels that the members deserve.  So watch this space (along with www.gtst.net), and hopefully in the coming months we will have a number of exciting developments to report.

Returning to the question of the existence of GTST in general, it’s sometimes useful to look outside of your back yard to understand the value of what you do have.  A quick google search for ‘Rochdale Supporters Trust’ elicits a remarkably informative website (www.daletrust.org.uk), and from a quick read of the articles available it becomes apparent that the Dale Trust shares a number of similarities with GTST.  Although GTST was formed almost a year before the Dale Trust, both Trusts were formed in times of relative club stability, and subsequently both have been able to make significant donations to the clubs that they are aligned to when required.  The Dale Trust have donated in excess of £30,000 to the football club to date, which includes nearly £7,000 towards necessary repairs to the Spotland pitch during 2007.  In times of need, a Supporters Trust can be a useful conduit for the kind of rallying call that can result in large sums raised in a short period of time.

The Dale Trust also appears to have a similarly cordial relationship with the football club board as GTST enjoys with Mr Fenty & co.  A shareholding of 2,625 is soon to be doubled in lieu of a(nother!) donation to the club to assist with the purchase of rehab equipment to be used by the playing staff.  This close relationship with the board has enabled the Dale Trust to arrange a number of ‘fans forums’, and also resulted in them playing a key role in extending the life of the centenary shirts, which were due to be replaced with a new design after last season’s match against Grimsby. This caused outrage amongst supporters. However an agreement was reached for the centenary shirts to be used until 1^st June 2008.

The Dale Trust currently has 356 members (split between Adult, Junior and Exile), which exceeds the current GTST membership levels.  Despite that, the nature of the fundraising events that both trusts hold are quite similar, e.g. Race Nights, Quiz Nights, Guest Speaker Evenings.  Whereas in Grimsby the speaker evenings have been accompanied by a Pie & Peas supper, in Rochdale the cuisine of choice has been on the more exotic side.  I’m wondering whether ‘Curry On Up The Humber’ has quite the same ring as ‘Curry On Up The Dale’!

Dale Trust has aligned its operation with the football season – meaning that they are currently going through both a membership renewal and board election process.  Due to the administrative effort involved with these processes, the Dale Trust was unable to provide input into this article.  All information has been gathered from the Dale Trust website and is up to date to the best of my knowledge.

Emma Blackbourn – GTST Board Member